Southeastern Louisiana University: Kinesiology And Health Studies

Location

Hammond, Louisiana

Owner

Southeastern Louisiana University

Completion Date

2012

Awards

2012 AIA Baton Rouge Gold Rose Award for Design Excellence

The project consists of a 35,000 s.f. addition and renovation to the existing Kinesiology and Health Studies Building. The existing building, being a late 1970’s modern design, posed significant problems in allowing for an addition.

The design team has developed a scheme which allows for new entry and new identity for the existing structure. There was a desire from the university for the new addition to speak to the predominate art deco language of the existing campus, but still blend with the existing and speak to the future. Three lantern like tower elements are situated at the entries which reference the forms of the art deco vocabulary.

The building is situated with its long faces oriented north-south to maximize solar control. Shading elements are deployed along the south face which will provide total shading for the office spaces within while allowing for maximum views into the historic live oaks which line the street. An Iconic landmark mansard structure houses the computer lab and relates to the existing natatorium form of the existing building. A breezway and catwalk provide an outdoor plaza connection from existing to new.