Recreation Experience

LS3P

RECREATIONEXPERIENCE

ENGAGE DESIGN TRANSFOR CATO EDUCATION CENTER AT THE HARRIS YMCA | CHARLOTTE, NC

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SMALL FIRM RELATIONSHIP, LARGE-FIRM EXPERTISE LS3P’s commitment to engaging with our clients, their communities, and the issues they face reflects our passionate investment in client success. We bring the right people to a project and foster engagement among team members and the community, creating a unifying point of departure that opens the path to design free of aesthetic preconceptions or predefined styles. For each market we serve, our professionals use expertise-based, market-specific tools that foster collaboration, creativity and insight across the team and the entire project delivery process. We engage because we believe the problem-solving nature of architecture should inspire and energize all participants.

LS3P is dedicated to design excellence in both experience and form. We see the design process as an opportunity to bring delight, value and meaning beyond client expectations.

Our design work is driven by market-specific expertise and awareness that represents stewardship of resources and the future of our clients and communities. The projects we create allow clients to achieve their goals, whether through transformational spaces, award winning design, operational efficiencies, environmental stewardship or economic sustainability. Our approach to design allows clients to move into the future with greater confidence, vision and speed.

For LS3P, the idea of transformation is a call to advance clients through a process and approach that culminates in better projects and enriched experiences for individuals, organizations and communities. Transformation means that our designs have lasting impact. Clients realize dramatic improvements in capacity, efficiency, effectiveness and enjoyment through the experience and operation of their project. The greatest testament to the success of LS3P’s work goes beyond the organizational, operational and business stewardship we provide—it is in our enduring client relationships.

DOWD YMCA RENOVATION & ADDITION CHARLOTTE, NC The flagship, 7-level Dowd YMCA of Charlotte is undergoing a major renovation and expansion to include the consolidation of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte offices, construction of a new fitness center, the reconfiguration of wellness/fitness areas, a new circulation spine linking the new fitness center to existing tower, the renovation of existing spaces (locker rooms, child watch, offices, and lobby), and construction of a new 4-level parking deck across the street for 380 spaces.

The front of the building was extended out toward Morehead Street, adding 52,000 SF of fitness space on three levels. The new space includes studios for classes such as yoga and barre, functional training space for Crossfit-style workouts, and a 6,000 square foot Atrium Health office. A new glass-and-steel facade affords views of Uptown Charlotte’s skyline from the track & exercise space on the roof of the addition, and a fitness stair combines egress with exercise.

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY LITTLE JOHN COLISEUM RENOVATION & EXPANSION CLEMSON, SC First opened in 1968 and last renovated in 2003, Clemson University’s Littlejohn Coliseum is undergoing a significant renovation and expansion to improve the fan and student-athlete experience.

Home to the Clemson Tigers men’s and women’s basketball programs, the arena also hosts campus events, concerts, and commencement activities.

Working in partnership with AECOM as associate design architect, LS3P is working closely with Clemson University to integrate the significant renovation with Clemson’s unique campus context.

Improvements include an updated playing arena and seating bowl with a unique geometry that maximizes available space, increased premium level seating and amenities to enhance revenue- generating opportunities, and consolidated practice and basketball operations program conveniently located under one roof. Upgraded support spaces will include men’s & women’s coaches’ offices, weight rooms, locker rooms, recruitment gathering spaces, and video editing / theater areas. Potential major renovations to the exterior may include a large ceremonial entry way.

CATO EDUCATION CENTER AT THE HARRIS YMCA CHARLOTTE, NC The Harris YMCA’s programmatic goal was to create a new space to accommodate up to 250 students in Preschool, Afterschool and Summer Camp programs while providing additional parking and safer pick-up/drop-off areas. It also replaced a small, outdated field pavilion that served their park and athletic fields.

The classroom wing has been designed for tremendous flexibility to accommodate the three primary functions of the Half-day Preschool for infants through kindergarten, Afterschool Care for primary through middle school children, and Summer Camp programs. Its 10 classrooms utilize operable partitions for different configurations to better serve each function and individual restrooms designed for each user group at fixed classroom demising walls.

The facility has a kitchen that has likewise been designed for flexibility, serving as a warming kitchen for the Preschool, a teaching kitchen for cooking demonstrations for up to 50, and to provide concessions for weekend sports activities on the adjacent playing fields. The Pavilion Airnasium can accommodate up to 600 people for public gatherings, as well as basketball, 4-square, volleyball and pickleball under cover.

A raised platform creates both a stage within the pavilion and central gathering space for the playing fields.

Architecturally, the facility has been designed as contextual to the main campus, utilizing the general color palette of masonry of the existing facility. In a nod to the YMCA’s camp programming, it has been designed to look and feel more rustic and camp-like with its barrel-vaulted roofing, stained glulam bow trusses, and tapered stone piers.

YMCA SANFORD WELLNESS CENTER SANFORD, NC This complete renovation of an existing 20,800 SF fitness club created a new YMCA for the Sanford community. The first phase of work provides a new entry point with offices, locker spaces, restrooms, and a childcare check-in. Subsequent renovations focused on branding, signage, site work, exterior envelope improvements, flood-proofing, and pool improvements including pool equipment.

Program spaces include fitness rooms, racquetball courts, a six-lane pool, administration space, two sets of locker rooms, and an outdoor fitness patio designed for outdoor yoga and other classes.

SPECTRUM CENTER TEAM STORE RENOVATION CHARLOTTE, NC This high-impact retail space for the Charlotte Hornets team store at Spectrum Center relocated the store to a more visible, accessible location within the arena. The new design expands the retail footprint and creates a better fan experience while maximizing space at the entry.

A new exterior entry vestibule framed by brick columns provides a visual connection into the store as fans approach. The exterior palette is contemporary and streamlined with metal accents, expansive curtainwall, storefront display space, and monumental digital signage.

Inside, a neutral materials palette of grey and white complements the bright teal and purple colors of the branding and store merchandise.

Slender columns help to maintain sightlines throughout the space, and a custom curved cash wrap counter echoes the arena’s distinctive form.

SARA’S YMCA CHARLOTTE, NC Located in Ballantyne Corporate Park the new 24,000 SF YMCA facility pays tribute to Sara Harris Bissell, wife of Ballantyne Developer H.C. Bissell. The adults-only branch pushes the limits of the traditional fitness center and serves as a “hub” for community and civic engagement in the Ballantyne community. The fitness center provides traditional strength and cardio equipment while offering open spaces for performance based training.

The first floor features a 5,000 SF wellness center with free weights and additional exercise equipment; a 2,500 SF Group Exercise Studio;a 1,000 SF Conference/meeting room with an operable glass partition to integrate with the lobby space; and a Grab & Go Café with Starbucks® station. The state-of-the-art yoga studio is architecturally designed to create a true hot yoga experience with infrared radiant heat hanging panels, anti-bacterial medical grade vinyl flooring and sound attenuation. The group exercise room has 2 roll-up doors that connect to a 2,000 SF yard area for cross fit training. Two stairs lead to second floor 6,000 SF cardio area that overlooks the first floor below. Additional space includes a 1,000 SF TRX Exercise room, a 750 SF Carolinas Healthcare Rehabilitation office for adults to receive physical therapy and sports medicine care and a 1,200 SF outdoor roof terrace for outdoor yoga and stretching.

The facility was constructed with insulated precast panels and a large curtainwall opening to maximize interior daylighting and views to the outside.

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY TENNIS CENTER CLEMSON, SC This state-of-the art tennis venue for the Clemson University men’s and women’s varsity tennis teams features outdoor competition courts and a 700-seat permanent stadium. The 61,200 SF Clemson University Tennis Center includes a six-court indoor tennis space; concessions and public restrooms; and a clubhouse with locker rooms, a training room, equipment rooms, player lounges, and coach offices. Related site work created a new parking area and six new outdoor practice courts.

The primary design goals for the project included improving the student athlete and fan experiences and creating a strong presence along the main vehicular thoroughfare into campus. The new building is oriented along an east-west axis, optimizing sun exposure while maintaining desired full sun on the outdoor varsity courts. The clubhouse wraps around the existing varsity courts, creating an intimate interaction between the student athletic spaces and the site. The materials palette of masonry, metal panel, and glass complements the campus built environment while creating a contemporary aesthetic.

MORRISON FAMILY YMCA CHARLOTTE, NC This 40,000 SF fitness facility and adjacent 40,000 SF outdoor water park includes administrative offices, group exercise spaces, two gymnasiums, a theatre-style adult fitness area with expanded free weights area, smaller adult fitness areas for youth and family classes, a spinning-cycling room, youth fun zone with lateral climbing wall, adult locker rooms, a child watch center, a commons area with a Subway® restaurant, and outdoor children’s playground. The water park includes 2 separate pools, spacious sunning deck, 3 flume water slides, twin loop water slides, interactive play areas, and full service bathhouse and locker facilities.

The Ballantyne YMCA shares play fields with an adjacent Mecklenburg County Park to create an extensive recreational campus. The site also supports a health and wellness program through Carolina Healthcare System. A Ballantyne District Master Plan and Phase I 40,000 SF facility expansion design will accommodate the projected growth of the YMCA programs.

MECKLENBURG COUNTY AQUATIC CENTER RENOVATIONS CHARLOTTE, NC The Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center is a world class natatorium featuring a 50-meter competition pool, a 25-yard therapeutic pool, and a spa. The aquatic center was in need of major renovations and repairs after not having undergone any updates since opening in 1991. To address these issues, the team performed an audit to evaluate the life expectancy of the facility, while at the same time identified ways to enhance and complement existing programming.

Additionally, a facility assessment was conducted to determine the center’s space need. The study developed project costs to repair and renovate the facility as well as additional enhancements.

Renovations included: • Renovate and expand lobby • Renovate and expand fitness area • Upgrades to existing locker rooms, including individual showers, new finishes, and lighting • New family locker rooms • Existing wood bleachers replaced with new concrete bleachers and new telescoping bleachers added to east/west ends of pool • New seating addition, with deck

storage, mezzanine seating and timing station • Renovations to 50 meter, warm pool and spa (new pool deck/ finishes, deck drainage, filtration system, pool surfaces/flooring, diving boards/starting block, etc.)

• Improvements to Mechanical/ Electrical and Telecomm Systems • Site improvements

Since its commissioning, the aquatic center has hosted various national competitions including the Arena Pro Swim Series. The facility also offers programs and events for all ages and ability levels, one-on-one specialized instruction, lap swimming and recreational swimming.

CLOVER SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMUNITY YMCA CLOVER, SC The Clover School District Community YMCA is an aquatics and fitness center located adjacent to Crowders Creek Elementary School off Charlotte Highway 49. The center is a partnership with the Upper Palmetto YMCA who manage day-to-day operations while the Clover School District retains ownership of the facility. The facility features two indoor pools: a 22 meter, 6-lane Lap Pool with a pool lift and stair entry; and a 22 meter, 4-lane warm water instructional pool with a stair and ramp entry Pool. Other components are a cross fitness room, yoga, basketball gym with second floor walking track above, spin exercise, teen room, community room and two racquetball courts. The facility is designed to provide a venue for a consolidated YMCA after school program and child watch. A detached showerlocker building and ticket building support the outdoor 50 meter competition and leisure pools.

The outdoor 50 meter competition pool and leisure pool/water park features a zero-entry for seniors and children, colorful water play structures, and a 20-foot tall slide tower that serves two water slides (one open flume and one closed flume). The design uses expansive curtain walls for daylighting, “wave” effect brick veneer, and porportional volumes to blend with the existing neighborhood vernacular. The structure is a combination of load bearing masonry and structural steel.

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