Clemson University Physical Health Center | Studio I Project III
Go outdoors, physical health, education, and replenishment are the four pillars of the Clemson University Physical Health Center. Wellness is about prioritizing emotional and physical health in one's life and I believe this proposal for Clemson’s new wellness center encourages personal growth in both of those areas.
In an original site study, I noticed the existing condition of this space is primarily used for circulation. As we know the site is located adjacent to commuter parking lots that are filled every day by 9:30 AM. With the new road bringing in more traffic by this site, I decided to treat our empty plot as a new entrance to Clemson. Right now it feels as If we are entering through a backdoor.
As I designed the new complex for this site I thought about the daily circulation of Clemson Students' lives and making this an opportunity for them to enjoy the arrival to Camus each morning. The master plan, Included raised walkways that make transitioning between parking and learning even easier. These walkways are also great for those who wish to roller skate, bike, or do any other wheel-related activity.
Raising the paths allow for more intentional landscaping around for visitors to enjoy. (And bees)
There are three structures in the Clemson University Physical Health Center: an athletic center, an outdoor amphitheater, and a food court.
Encouraging students' physical health, the athletic center hosts a 40 ft top rope rock climbing wall, an expansive bouldering area, a pole studio, and a dance or yoga studio. These are all activities that can be done individually or in groups, catering to both introverted and extroverted people. The athletic center is filled with natural light from two huge skylights in the space. This building can be entered from downhill, where those may be coming straight from the parking lot, or uphill coming from campus or other parts of the complex. The uphill entrance leads into a courtyard type of space, bringing one to the amphitheater.
The amphitheater is set in the ground, inspired by conversation pits. It is set in the ground to reduce noise that may be coming from the new road and is covered by an inverted roof to shield visitors from the rain. It seats about 80 people in an intimate setting. It is designed to have classes, lectures, guest speakers, and even plays or performances for larger crowds and is also intimate enough for small group discussions. The banks of the pit are landscaped to bring life and color into the sunken space.
The third structure is a food court for healthy, affordable food for students. One of the first things taught about emotional and physical health is prioritizing consuming the right foods. Currently, two of the closest food places to this side of campus are Chick-fil-A and Canes, both fried chicken. The food court would offer salads, smoothies, grain bowls, and grab-and-go options for Clemson’s busiest students. Upstairs provides a short retreat from the hustle and bustle to sit alone or with friends in comfortable booths.
The topography has been altered to support the complex. In areas of a steep slope- behind the athletic center towards Lee 3, behind the food court going downhill, and the long wall of the athletic center facing the road would be engineered walls for living green walls. This would be an excellent opportunity for landscape architecture students to implement their designs or receive hands-on experience working in that kind of design work.
The Process
The Plans
Interior Perspective
Site Sections
Sketch Models
