The building’s conceptual design is taken from “points on the ground, lines in space”, a phrase used to describe field play diagrams used by sports teams to strategize their plays. In this case, the points are the building’s foundations on its sloping site and the lines are its terraces and series of exposed external stairs. This creates an expansive column-free zone below that frames the entrance to the soccer fields from the street.
This new 5-story sports center is part of Baker Athletics Complex, Columbia University’s primary athletics facility for its outdoor sports programs. With a combination of strength and conditioning spaces and student-athlete spaces that include study rooms and lounges, the state-of-the-art building is meant to serve both the minds and bodies of Columbia’s student athletes. The LEED Silver certified facility also includes offices for varsity sports and football, an auditorium, a hospitality suite, and a theater-style meeting room.
Exposed exterior stairs.
- Exposed exterior stairs.
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The building’s conceptual design is taken from “points on the ground, lines in space”, a phrase used to describe field play diagrams used by sports teams to strategize their plays. In this case, the points are the building’s foundations on its sloping site and the lines are its terraces and series of exposed external stairs. This creates an expansive column-free zone below that frames the entrance to the soccer fields from the street.
The building’s superstructure is a series of hollow core pre-cast planks anchored to non-orthogonal column lines that run east-west. A double-height steel truss that spans 65 feet at the fourth floor connects the main body of the building to an elevated arm that extends towards the playing fields below. The tip of the building’s arm is supported by a configuration of slender, skewed columns that stand nearly 40 feet tall.
Street entrance.
Exposed exterior stairs.
Exposed exterior stairs.
Interior circulation.
Exposed gusset plates and braces.
