RDG in the Media: Planning Recreation Centers for Long-Term Value

As colleges and universities rethink the role of campus recreation, programming, operations and design are working together to create more flexible, student-centered facilities. In a recent article by CENTERS, architecture partners and industry voices, including RDG Architect and Senior Partner Brad Rodenburg, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, share what they are seeing in new and renovated recreation centers.

Contributors discuss the growing emphasis on holistic student well-being, the rise of flexible spaces that accommodate a variety of activities and the importance of designing facilities that can adapt as student needs evolve. As fitness becomes more varied and experiential, recreation centers are incorporating features such as functional fitness areas, wellness suites, recovery spaces, group fitness studios and technology that enhances the student experience. 

Rodenburg noted that functional fitness spaces, in particular, have become increasingly popular because “these spaces aren’t necessarily programmed…but can be used for a variety of exercises,” such as training, small-group instruction, athletic preparation, informal recreation and pop-up programming. 

Beyond emerging design trends, the article asserts that long-term success depends on planning that aligns vision, design and day-to-day operations. Rather than starting with a list of desired amenities, contributors encourage institutions to first understand the students they serve and the outcomes they hope to achieve. Rodenburg echoed this people-first approach, emphasizing the importance of listening to a wide range of user groups during the planning and designing process to create facilities that are flexible enough to serve student needs now and in the future. 

Click here to read CENTERS’ article on how programming, operations, and design are shaping the next generation of campus recreation.