DMACC - Student Activities Center and Trail Point Aquatics & Wellness Center

This remodel and addition to Building 5 on the DMACC Ankeny campus accommodates a new student center and recreational facility. A black box theater and flexible meeting rooms are built as additions to the existing building to allow the required higher volumes. The recreation portion of the addition is two stories to accommodate an upper level weights and fitness area and running track. First floor comprises a double height natatorium, gym and lobby. Other program spaces include racquetball courts, group exercise, therapy pool suite and a family center with child watch area.

We provided full architectural and MEPT design, as well as commissioning services. The scope of work included identifying construction not meeting design intent and equipment not meeting expected operations and tracking those corrections, assisting in coordination of the building automation systems component for installation to avoid costly installations, and guidance to fine-tune complex mechanical sequences to maintain equipment operations and indoor air quality.

The plan is organized around a main circulation zone that runs east-west through the building connecting parking to the central campus quad. Interior spaces include, a new Bookstore, Food Court, Lounge space and Game Room, plus ample flexible Meeting Room space. Interior design services included Finishes and Materials selection, FF&E and Fitness Equipment Planning, and FF&E Procurement Package.

Site design for this project retrofits an underused and dated pedestrian building entry, plaza and courtyard. The plaza design creates a functional and beautiful place for students, faculty, staff, and other community members to linger and move through on the way to other campus destinations. The courtyard also connects people to nature by preserving several mature Thornless Honey Locust trees surrounding the existing plaza. The resulting plaza and courtyard combines a unique blend of hardy and native plants, resilient materials, and open spaces to create a campus destination and a living laboratory that allows horticulture students to care for and study plants without leaving the campus.

DMACC's new Student Center and Aquatics Facility consists of a renovation of an existing wellness facilities, design of a joint/shared-use facilities, design of college student union space, sustainable design practices, and construction of new wellness facilities. This project includes remodeling 55,000 SF of the existing DMACC Student Center & Building 5, plus a120,000 SF addition to Building 5. All lighting in the facility will be energy efficient lighting utilizing LED lamps with electronic drivers.