State University of New York, Fashion Institute of Technology, Stanton Fitness Center

New York, New York

Firm

David Smotrich & Partners LLP

Client

Fashion Institute of Technology

Area

4,260 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$1,231,965

Completion Date

12/2010

The architect took an outdated, underutilized locker room and transformed it into the Stanton Fitness Center and movement classroom. Seventy-five percent of the existing locker room was demolished to create space for the new program; the remaining 25 percent was renovated for student and faculty use.

The design challenge was to convert a long, linear, enclosed space, situated in the sub-basement of an academic building, into a welcoming, bright fitness center and classroom. The key design elements were the installation of floor-to-ceiling butt joint glass for the length of the entire space, in combination with lighting that softly changes color as desired. The movement classroom with full-height shades, a warm wood floor and a soft curve transitioning from ceiling to floor gives the space a "Zen-like" quality.

Green building techniques include polished concrete floors, energy-efficient lighting, recycled material content for the athletic flooring, and paint with no VOCs. The project has received high praise from the administration, board of trustees and, most important, the students.