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M. GORDON CLARKE FIELD HOUSE/UNIVERSITY UNION, CAL STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN MARCOS
SAN MARCOS, CALIFORNIA
M. Gordon Clarke Field House/University Union is the student/faculty and staff activity center and gathering place for this relatively new university campus. The 34,000 square foot building houses a conference center with kitchen, weight room, multipurpose/aerobics room, extensive locker facilities, sports medicine, student lounge areas, convenience store and athletic department offices. The multiuse nature of the building is celebrated by creating a “village” that surrounds a central common gathering area. Outdoor patios of varying character are incorporated on three sides of the building, and take advantage of the outstanding views from the site.
The design challenge was to create an open, mixed-use facility that would accommodate the many needs of students and faculty, while taking advantage of the panoramic views afforded by the campus’s hilltop setting. The project needed to take into consideration room for future building expansion, while maintaining a lasting visual identity that would communicate a sense of centrality and belonging within the local environment. The idea was to let the programmatic function of each individual building component determine its own unique architectural manifestation, tying these spaces together around the central “spine.”
Concrete masonry and exposed steel were incorporated in the exterior arcade to create a sense of permanence and play off design elements in other existing campus structures. For this project, 8-inch and 12-inch sourdough medium weight split-face and precision masonry units were selected, with the color matching native soils. Concrete masonry was used to give the necessary leeway for design, strength and durability and for aesthetic considerations.
ARCHITECT:
Robbins Jorgensen Christopher
2800
Lafayette
Newport Beach, CA 92663
Roberta
W. Jorgensen, FAIA
Principal in Charge
James
K. Robbins, AIA
Design Principal
Harold
R. Baker, G. C. CSI
Project Manager
Kristine
Steffen, IIDA, CID
Interior Designer
STRUCTURAL
ENGINEER:
Flores Lund Consultants
GENERAL
CONTRACTOR:
Edge Development, Inc.
MASON:
Kretschmar & Smith, Inc.
OWNER:
California State University,
San Marcos
