Wood-look ceilings cap off an amenity-rich football complex
In the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains lies another example of contemporary institutional design done right. Clemson University’s Allen N. Reeves Football Operations Complex, South Carolina, is a sprawling 13,239-m2 (142,500-sf) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver facility that sets a new standard for the student-athlete experience.
Designed to support the day-to-day activities of players, coaches, and staff, the complex elevates Clemson’s football program and promotes the recruitment, training, and development of student-athletes. The university spared no expense to create a space that can cater to its student athletes and help with recruitment of the nation’s top football talent.
Amenities include a locker facility with a 2323-m2 (25,000-sf) weight room, 50-person plunge pool, and hydrotherapy pools. A large dining facility, recovery and nap rooms, and an x-ray suite are also centrally located for easy access. An outdoor village, complete with sand volleyball, basketball, and wiffle ball courts, miniature golf, an outdoor kitchen, and a fireplace ensure athletes are entertained year-round.
One of the most iconic features of the building is a replica of Clemson’s famous Death Valley hill. It is a 4.5-m (15-ft) high, 6-m (20-ft) long slide that takes a person from the second to the first floor. The slide is visible from the outside, and adds a sense of fun and playfulness to the complex.
Compelling graphics and interactive displays can be found throughout the space. Each is celebrating the football program’s brand as well as its storied history while communicating its vision for the future.
In order to tie all of these spaces together and convey a sense of importance and strength, HOK Architects and Goodwin, Mills and Cawood, Inc. originally envisioned a wood ceiling. However, based on cost, weight, and maintenance, general contractor DPR Construction decided a wood-look system would be a reasonable compromise, as natural wood is heavy, reacts negatively to the humid environments found in the South, and can sag over time. Therefore, DPR opted for a large-format, lightweight solution with acoustic qualities.
Material price was another challenge because the budget was limited for the Allen N. Reeves Football Operations Complex, as is the case in many institutional projects.
Ultimately, an ultra-smooth, non-woven polyester fabric with a wood look was specified in several areas of the project including the grand entrance, lounge, and dining areas.
Each panel weighed less than 0.11 kg (¼ lb) per square foot, meaning it could be installed without fear of sagging. Since the architect also selected diffusers and lights from the same manufacturer for compatibility reasons, the installation process was smooth.
The result is a facilities-friendly ceiling installation fitting the unique aesthetic of the Allen N. Reeves Football Operations Complex. It blends high-end design with acoustic control and provides easy access to the plenum.
Future looks bright for institutional design
As institutional design continues to evolve, specifiers have more choices than ever when it comes to creating unique spaces that solve educational design challenges. Large-format ceiling products are just one concept helping designers manage acoustics, achieve custom looks, and create beautiful, contemporary facilities.
Robert Marshall is the senior technical manager for CertainTeed Ceilings and a lifelong participant in the commercial ceiling industry. Marshall is the product of one of the world’s first acoustic ceiling contracting businesses, a company founded by his family in 1927. He can be reached via e-mail at robert.l.marshall@saint-gobain.com.
