RDG in the Media: 50 Years of Rec Center Locker Room Evolution

From rows of metal lockers and communal benches to wellness-focused spaces designed for privacy and recovery, locker rooms at recreation centers have undergone a remarkable transformation over the past 50 years. In its latest issue, Athletic Business speaks with athletic design professionals, including RDG Architect and Partner Blaine Perau, AIA, to discuss trends in locker room design and how these spaces have evolved from purely functional into integral parts of the recreation experience.

Fifty years ago, public locker rooms were designed to be practical and functional, often with large, open spaces that offered very little privacy, small lockers with no space to hang clothing, and lighting that ranged from dark and dim to fluorescent. Multiple aspects contributed to the evolution of these spaces, but when the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990, accessibility became a major priority.

"The advent of family locker rooms provided some dedicated space to accommodate many ADA laws, but as an industry, we were still in the dark ages of universal design," said Perau. In his observation, Perau also recalled locker room designs that included stairs leading from the locker room to the pool or foot baths, making wheelchair maneuvering through these spaces impossible.

Today, locker rooms are increasingly designed to support the full recreation experience. Perau points to growing investments in privacy, accessibility and wellness through features such as individual changing rooms, all-user locker rooms, durable materials and integrated recovery spaces. Looking ahead, he sees universal design, wellness amenities and emerging technologies like smart lockers and more intentional lighting continuing to shape the next generation of recreation facilities.

Click here to read the full article in Athletic Business about how designers are creating inclusive locker room spaces centered on the needs of the people who use them.