University of Texas at Austin, Gregory Gymnasium

Austin, Texas

Firm

F&S Partners

Client

The University of Texas

Area

270,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$23,008,945

Completion Date

10/1997

The goal of today’s university recreation centers is to provide a place for fitness and wellness, as well as a place for students, faculty and alumni to gather for social and extracurricular activities. The renovated Gregory Gym meets this goal.
Gregory Gym was first built in the 1930s and expanded in the 1960s. The challenge was to house a premiere recreation center in the facility without damaging the character of the original building. This was accomplished by exposing a brick wall with arched windows covered by the 1960s addition, and making it the centerpiece of a three-story concourse. This concourse, which can be viewed by all major activity areas, redirects the confused pedestrian circulation of the original layout.
Other challenges included incorporating air conditioning throughout the gym, addressing the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the challenge of incorporating a rock-climbing wall into a 20-foot space. The complex houses an exhibition gymnasium to seat 3,800, a four-court recreation gym, 10 handball/racquetball courts, a three-lane jogging track, four weight-training areas, aerobics, international squash, wellness, outdoor equipment rental, a pro-shop and a cafe.

Photographer: ©R. Greg Hursley