Each year, Ringling College of Art and Design invites proposals from student teams, with the goal of fostering projects that align with the program's educational objectives and reflect the institution's values. In the Spring semester of 2023, my team of three proposed the development of a new fitness facility to meet the escalating demand at the existing center. Our proposal aimed to address the center’s overuse, the increased utilization rates, and the growing student population.
Opportunity: Design a space to be used on undeveloped prospective nearby property for the benefit of a growing student body.
Solution: Develop an expansion of Ringling College's fitness infrastructure that aligns with and enhances the institution's broader health and wellness initiatives.
Project Length: 15 Weeks, Team of 3
My Role: Production Coordination, Market Research, Product Design
Objectives
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Design a visionary fitness center that aligns with the specific needs of the campus community, enhancing both student engagement and overall well-being.
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Create branded visual materials for the facility that seamlessly integrate with Ringling College's established branding, reinforcing the institution’s identity and values.
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Present a well-supported proposition by incorporating insights gathered from comprehensive interviews with students and faculty, ensuring the facility meets the needs and expectations of the broader campus community.
Assets Required
For the full realization of this project, our team decided to focus on three deliverable segments.
Research and Construction Feasibility: Where could this be built? What is the demand for fitness on campus? What local laws will operations need to follow, and what are the employee requirements?
Facility Planning: What would this building look like? What does it offer to students? How much space does it take up, and what is the space used for?
Art and Design: A mascot and decal materials to be displayed inside the facility. A brand identity in-line with official Ringling College communications.
For Students, By Students
From information on campus gym check-ins, we deduced that interest in physical exercise and activities has increased over 50 percent in the past year. It is predicted to multiply 7.5 times, annually, for the following five years. From student interviews, we saw that there was a need to expand the fitness resources already available on campus. We integrated these needs into the design.
After an initial designing and planning phase, the floorplan was reviewed by peers for final changes. Due to student security concerns, a student check-in desk was added. The fitness provisions of this building include a pool, a turf field, two indoor courts, and a multipurpose exercise room. Bathrooms and lockers are available to students in the building.
I designed a floor plan in SketchUp to bring the concept to life.
See the full project
The Team
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Hayley Kirk
Researcher, Student Body Surveyor and Visual Strategist
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Kathryn Johnston
Interior Designer, Student Body Surveyor and Researcher
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Nora Rogers
Character Art, Branding and Research