More Than a BuildingUsing the design process to promote long-term thinking

What began as a “gym” evolved and grew in to the Athletic Center

The multipurpose room is used by students, staff, faculty…

…for dance, stretching, pilates, yoga, and adult fitness classes.

…like the bridge with views of both courts…

…the Wellness Center Hall, where trainers can see what’s happening on the courts.

…and the bleachers are entered at the top, arena style…

…from the Hall of Fame, where a trophy case is visible from inside and outside.

The courts are flexible for basketball, volleyball and PE…

…thanks to motorized goals, nets, and divider curtains…

The town’s height limit forced the gym below grade, improving natural cooling, enabling us to limit air conditioning to a very few rooms.

Atherton height limit = 34 feet

warm air stratifies

Ventilation air is cooled by the foundation walls, and introduced through the bleacher seats

NEIGHBORS

NEIGHBORS

NEIGHBORS

The building was shaped to provide the Middle School with a new outdoor recreation space.

…anticipated its use as a bouncewall…

…and provided some control, and something to play against…

…and a puzzle to be solved.

This is an abbreviated version of the presentation made by Kevin Hart, Norm Colb, and Susan Ford Dorsey to the CAIS Trustees/Heads Conference on January 22, 2011.

For more information, please contact Kevin Hart at 415.391.0530 or kevin@hart-architecture.com