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Physical Education Center Expansion/Renovation

College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, Illinois

New facility supports athletic programs, provides fitness venue for students and community members, reduces energy consumption

Upgrades transform an undersized, poorly-lit PE facility built in the 1980s into a light-filled community recreation center and student athlete training space.

HIGHLIGHTS

Curtain wall fills entry with light during the day and draws attention to internal activity at night
Clerestory windows bring natural light into new varsity weight and locker rooms
Skylights illuminate corridor and custom wood display cases
Sloped skylights bring natural light into fitness area
Second floor overlooks large new lobby creating visual connection between upper and lower levels

Physical Education Center Expansion/Renovation – Video

Watch video: tour the Physical Education Center (4:49)

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Fitness Today

The 14,000-square-foot addition for varsity athletes includes a strength lab, training suite, and locker rooms. Over 124,000 square feet in renovations respond to today’s fitness needs:

Racquetball courts become dance studios, yoga studios, and classrooms
Deepening and expansion of the lap pool makes it competition-ready
Second floor plaza redefined as a contemporary fitness center
Office centralization, locker and restroom renovations, and reflooring/repainting throughout the facility

Multifunctional Glass Façade

Natural light fills the space thanks to a new glass façade that faces the parking lot. During the day, the green glass filters sunlight and shows the college’s main color. Aluminum sunscreens in a random pattern further reduce glare. At night, the glass exhibits internal activity and entices people to enter.

Welcoming Lobby

A bright, open lobby welcomes students and community members alike. There are plenty of places to gather, and a grand stair ascends to the fitness center.

Sustainable Response

The once-lifeless second floor plaza reemerges as the Chaparral Fitness Center. The natural light that fills the space testifies to the project’s sustainable accomplishment: the project reduces energy consumption by nearly 25%.