Women’s Sports Program Expansion

Clemson University

The Clemson Women’s Sports Program Expansion includes facilities for the University’s existing Women’s Rowing program and the Women’s Lacrosse and Women’s Gymnastics programs coming to campus. Sited near Lake Hartwell, this complex of facilities leaves existing area walking trails intact while creating a new and dynamic area for student-athletes. New facilities will include a new lacrosse stadium and operations complex, a new gymnastics operations complex and practice facility, renovations and improvements to the existing rowing center, and a new elite athlete recovery center and student-athlete village.

Site planning played an especially important role in designing the campus. New construction is carefully sited to accommodate the existing Rowing building, a new full-size lacrosse field, and extensive on-site parking. Building orientation and programming maximize access to and views of outdoor amenities. Wide paved walkways provide connectivity throughout the site, enforcing a sense of community between programs and their respective facilities. Terrace tables and lounge seating provide a gentle transition from the Athlete Recovery Center to Lake Hartwell and the player village between the Rowing Operations Complex and the varsity boat house.

Building materials enhance a sense of permeability and connectivity between facilities on campus and with this uniquely natural site.  Utilizing pre-engineered metal building frames (PEMB) allowed for the expression of structure outside the buildings’ envelope.  Rendering the roof to the wall as “folded planes” allows inset metal panels and glass storefronts to form the primary elevations at both Lacrosse and Gymnastics. Window walls provide expansive views of adjacent site features and surrounding facilities.  The asymmetrical sloping rooflines with “Clemson orange” soffits and structural elements celebrate Clemson Athletics. Warm wood-toned accents soften predominantly dark metal building faces and nod to the natural setting in this wooded area bordering the lake.

The Lacrosse Stadium stands and press box mimic the form of the adjacent buildings, but aligned with its function, the massing promotes views to the artificial turf competition field and lake views beyond.  The stadium seats 1,000 spectators and offers concessions, restrooms, and visiting teams and officials’ lockers.  The woods beyond slope down to Lake Hartwell, offering a unique backdrop to the athletic field.  The existing Rowing Facility for the women’s team will receive an expansion of its sports medicine component and exterior enhancements.  The facility will connect via the new Athlete Village to the boathouse, with upgraded areas provided for outside workouts or casual, social events as well.

Contemporary interiors emanate the energy of Athletics and celebrate the Clemson brand. Clemson orange and purple pop next to crisp white and soft gray furniture. Geometric acoustical tiles and uplit pan features accentuate variable ceiling heights. Dimensional backlit spotlights Clemson’s signature paw print.

Garvin Design Group teamed with national sports architecture firm HNTB and Brasfield & Gorrie to help Clemson design this ambitious campus development.