Redesign Your School Athletic Pavilion | 2014 National High School Architecture Competition #202
|Currently, our schools athletic facility is limited to basically an open space with a roof, a gymnasium, a sub par weight and cardio room and a judo/yoga room. My goal is to use the concept of the yin yang symbol to transform this cluster into a flowing environment and create a space with fluidity in terms of movement. The basis of this concept is the yin yang symbol in which two opposites may function together as a whole. One side, yin, is typically portrayed as feminine yet dark and is usually associated with the west (where the sun sets) as well as earth. In terms of physicality, yin is usually in correlation with flat surfaces (as the earth was thought to be), density, shade/darkness and contraction. Yang, being the opposite of yin, is more masculine yet light and is associated with the east (where the sun rises) and heaven. It's also relevant to activity, as opposed to yin, which is rest and this will probably be relevant to how I set up my building. Yang is usually in correlation with rounder surfaces, elevation, brightness and expansion.
With these factors in mind, I plan on creating an atmosphere that has opposing, yet reflective aspects. I would like to improve the current conditions of the cardio room, weight room and indoor gym as well as provide two different spaces for yoga and judo since they both require different equipment. In addition to these indoor improvements, I would like to add a lap pool, sauna room, handball court and an indoor track. Outside, I would like to add an outdoor, multi-sport, turf field (would be located across the parking lot), tennis courts, and a quad area.
This kind of facility would absolutely affect school culture as it would bring massive amounts of school spirit to our students and provide us with an area unique to our community. It would not only encourage students to participate in after school athletic activities, therefore improving our students all around health, but it would be a lounging space for students to go to on nice days, especially the quad area. Students would be free to eat their lunch there, catch up on homework in nice weather and visit their friends who are playing a game at the outdoor field or at the pool. The institution of this kind of facilty would create an atmosphere that would bring our school together and make it feel like an actual community. The open athletic rooms that are not in use could also potentially be used for club meets or any other extra curricular activities, which would also improve our community.
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