The Ryan Fieldhouse and Walter Athletics Center is a transformational athletic expansion on Northwestern University’s Evanston campus. To optimize the student-athlete experience, we designed a sleek, sophisticated destination–one that takes full advantage of the vista over Lake Michigan and the panorama of the Chicago skyline. Abundant ceiling-to-floor windows give way to jaw-dropping views of the natural and urban landscape, ushering in natural light at nearly every turn. And, despite being located on a constrained site, the monumental facility seamlessly integrates with the surrounding campus, never calling too much attention to itself.
Vast horizontal glass facades and unobstructed views of Lake Michigan, Ryan Fieldhouse, and the Walter Athletics Center on the Northwestern University campus in Evanston, Illinois, make it a unique multi-purpose center for student-athletes in a variety of locations. Designed by global architecture firm Perkins+Will, the building is a critically acclaimed convergence of design typologies including sports and recreation, performance health, branded environments, and higher education.
Abundant ceiling-to-floor windows give way to jaw-dropping views of the natural and urban landscape, ushering in natural light at nearly every turn. And, despite being located on a constrained site, the monumental facility seamlessly integrates with the surrounding campus, never calling too much attention to itself.
“These facilities are truly transformative for our Wildcats and our university,” said Jim Phillips, Northwestern University’s Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation. “Our state-of-the-art home is now at the heart of our campus alongside classrooms, labs and, dormitories, enabling more interaction than ever before between student-athletes and this unprecedented Northwest community has become possible.”
The bright, four-story Walter Athletics Center offers academic and professional development support services for more than 500 student-athletes, a nutrition and dining facility, two athletic performance centers, and a state-of-the-art sports medicine and athletic center. A training center, locker room space for eight national teams, and office space for coaches and administrators. This is the second Perkins + Will-designed Northwest athletic facility to open this year.
In April, the university celebrated the grand opening of Ryan Fieldhouse. Ryan Fieldhouse is a glass, aluminum, and limestone building connected to the Walter Athletics Center and is open for training year-round. Under a towering arched dome, it provides training space for soccer, lacrosse, soccer, and other national team players, and also serves as a recreation and event space for campus programs.
Throughout the design process, the focus is on how the new center can meet the highest standards of functionality, access, and interaction to enable Northwestern University to recruit and develop the best student-athletes. I guessed.
Also integral to the design was a direct connection between the Walter Athletics Center and Ryan Fieldhouse, making the complex easily accessible to all. In parallel, it was important to design separate and secure entrances to accommodate different users, including football and Olympic sports students, event participants, staff, faculty, administrators, and coaches.
The facility’s location allowed designers to take advantage of the light and unobstructed views of Lake Michigan. Ryan Fieldhouse’s expansive fields have direct lake views through glass windows. A covered patio in front of the Walter Athletics Center’s dining room surrounds the facility’s east and south façades, visually connecting the center to the Chicago skyline. The center’s glass-enclosed south and east sides overlook the outdoor soccer practice, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey stadiums, and the lake.
“Ryan Fieldhouse and Walter Athletics Center are an exciting opportunity to bring student-athletes back to the heart of campus in a complex that takes advantage of spectacular settings overlooking Lake Michigan and emphasizes the interrelationships of fitness, performance, and health, ” said Ralph Johnson, Global Design Director, Perkins+Will. Perkins+Will collaborated with associate architect HOK on the Northwestern project. Smith Group of civil engineers and landscape architects. Structural Engineer WSP USA; and Mechanical Engineer AEI Affiliated Engineer.
The airy light that flows through the building contrasts with the physical activity that takes place inside, boldly enhancing the Northwest brand and providing an opportunity to elevate the center to the upper echelons of university athletic facilities. Three floors of LED screens displaying video images of Northwestern University’s 19 sports programs are visible through the glass façade of the Walter Athletics Center lobby. Northwestern University’s signature purple theme is emphasized throughout the center, including interactive touchscreens, backlit wall panels, and overhead lighting accents. Corridors throughout the center are lined with chalkboards displaying stunning black-and-white images of athletes in action.
The approach to branding throughout the facility is to strike the perfect balance between the power of athleticism and the understated sophistication implicit in Northwestern University’s commitment to academic excellence.
The Walter Athletics Center and Ryan Fieldhouse are part of Perkins+Will’s growing portfolio of sports, leisure and entertainment projects, demonstrating the company’s commitment to holistic human health and well-being. The Northwestern University project highlights the company’s expertise in education, healthcare, workplace/office equipment, and environmental brands through a successful blend that creates a truly multidisciplinary facility.
Jennifer Williams, a senior associate at Pekins+Will, said: “The university’s vision of an innovative home away from home for student-athletes is realized through a new kind of architecture that enables students to perform at their highest physical and emotional levels.”
References
“Northwestern University Ryan – Walter Athletics Center / Perkins+Will” 27 Sep 2018. ArchDaily. Accessed 9 Oct 2022. <https://www.archdaily.com/902625/northwestern-university-ryan-walter-athletics-center-perkins-plus-will> ISSN 0719-8884
