Sasaki is a 270-person multi-disciplinary firm of architects, planners, urban designers, landscape architects, civil engineers, data scientists and graphic designers. The firm’s award-winning Sports Practice is composed of professionals from each discipline that are dedicated specifically to the planning and design of buildings and sites for campus recreation and athletics. Sasaki has an extensive portfolio with institutions ranging from small private colleges, to mid-majors, to large Power Five universities.
Stonehill College, in Easton, Massachusetts, recently partnered with Sasaki and underwent a 24,000 square foot renovation of their existing building and a 50,000 square foot addition. This involved over 100,000 square feet of fitness areas, a multipurpose field house, varsity and recreation staff offices, athletic training area, strength and conditioning area for varsity athletics and meeting spaces for the college.
Maureen Michaud, the assistant athletic director for recreational sports at Stonehill College, shares insight on the renovation and their experience working with Sasaki.
What was the motivation for undergoing the renovation?
MM: Over 80 percent of the student body participates in varsity or recreational sports programming, so with increased student enrollment there was demand for additional space and facilities. The original facility was built in 1988 and needed a renovation to allow for space for all programming. Athletics and Recreation are an important part of the student engagement experience as well as the recruitment process for admissions. The renovation has also allowed for additional space for other departments on campus to hold meetings, functions, admissions events and student activities special events. The renovation of Stonehill College’s Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex has allowed the students additional ways to engage in healthy and positive student experiences.
Why did you choose to partner with Sasaki?
MM: Sasaki has a strong reputation for creative and innovative thinking for facilities and how to get the most usage of the space. Their ability to work with BOND (the construction team) and design a facility that aligned with the goals and expectations of Stonehill College was not only important but essential. Sasaki’s team worked on creating a facility that would achieve the three goals of the renovation: increase the overall athletic program to meet the needs of increased enrollment, unify all athletic and recreational programming under one roof and maximize value by taking into consideration long term vs. short term investments while also having a WOW factor. Their sharp and functional design of the new facility draws visitors to the building and is an important part of our college tour.
