Quinnipiac University

Recreation and Wellness Center
Hamden, CT

The RecWell Center at Quinnipiac University has become a central campus hub where students can become their best selves. The project was designed through a collaboration between designLAB Architects and S3 Design. Through a mix of programming, the new facility aims to promote holistic health and well-being by combining clinical, mental, and nutritional health with recreational fitness, all in one cohesive facility.

Externally, the new building connects to the existing Athletics and Recreation Center, a prominent location on the edge of the main campus quad, and creates a contemplative courtyard between the new and existing buildings. Internally, the existing elevated track and fieldhouse will connect to the new facility to increase shared program offerings between athletics and recreation.

The Social Education Hub element is a versatile program that ranges from gathering spaces to a demonstration kitchen and breakout spaces that act as a connecting space to the Recreation, Counseling, and Health Services suites, providing a buffer from the activity of the recreation program.

To promote an environment for holistic health, natural materials, including wood finishes, local stone, and green living walls, are used extensively. Further, an exposed heavy timber-frame structure is complemented with glass curtainwall and roof apertures that connect inside and outside, giving views to the campus, the sky, and the natural landscape of the adjacent Sleeping Giant State Park.

  • Completed: February 2023

    LEED®-Gold Certified

    55,000 SF addition

  • Feasibility Study

    Architectural Services

    Interiors

  • BSA Built Design Excellence - Merit Award BSA
    SCUP/AIA-CAE Excellence in Architecture - Honorable Mention SCUP
    “How to Help People Through Their Best (or Worst) Day: Rec Design for Wellbeing” Athletic Business
    ”New recreation and wellness center opens at Quinnipiac University” Fox 61
    ”Quinnipiac University Opens $45 Million Recreation and Wellness Center” NBC Connecticut

  • 2024 NIRSA Outstanding Facilities Award
    2024 Merit Award, BSA Design Excellence
    2025 Honorable Mention, SCUP Excellence in Architecture

Photos by: © Anton Grassl

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