Hood College

Recreation and Athletics Center Programming

Frederick, Maryland

In February 2007, Brailsford & Dunlavey was retained to complete an outline building program for student housing, athletics, and recreation facilities at Hood College. Working as part of a larger master planning team lead by Bushman Dreyfus Architects, B&D evaluated the College’s existing facilities, conducted a series of meetings with College administrators, and considered peer facilities in developing the programs. Central to the effort was the College’s objective to improve the residential nature of its campus and to provide the requisite recreation and athletics spaces.

The programming process led to the development of a concept for a Recreation, Education, and Athletics Center (REAC) that would include physical education classrooms and offices, a recreation gym, a performance gym for athletics, and associated locker, training, and administrative support spaces. To realize the nearly 86,000 square foot program, phased implementation plans were developed that combined new construction with the renovation of the historic Gambrill Gymnasium.

The new student housing program responded to the need for additional on-campus beds, the existing inventory of unit types, and the College’s intention to provide progressively independent living options. The program outlined a new 34,000 square foot residence hall with 100 beds in a suite-style configuration. The independent living arrangement included four double rooms sharing two restrooms and a living room.