Lafayette Sports Academy
Lafayette Sports Academy
Client: Lafayette Sports Academy
Project Status: Completed 2023
Project Scope: 9212 SF Gymnastics Studio with Viewing Area and Workout Loft
Architect of Record: Kevin Stewart (while at Manuel Commercial)
Project Team (MC): David Nelson
Collaborators: SPEC Engineering, AST Engineers, Acadiana Structural Solutions Success Strategies
Contractor: Manuel Commercial
Tags: Commercial, Gymnastics Studio, Bold Entrance
Chase & Jenna Hardy had goals and a vision for a new facility that would expand their gym footprint, including a workout area for parents upstairs so they could watch their kids. When I presented the first conceptual sketch for the exterior, they immediately fell in love with the sharp contrast of red and black Nichiha panels to make a bold entrance statement 😊.
Chase & Jenna Hardy
Owners, Lafayette Sports Academy
It all begins with a vision…
After pursuing other options to accommodate the growing needs of their gym, Chase decided to build a new building. He knew he wanted a large floor area to support his various gym activities, but he also had ideas for an interior loft and a desire to make a big impact with the economy of a pre-engineered metal building.
At an in-house charette, my design intern David Nelson sketched the two-tiered entrance feature that became the design proposal. I’ll never forget sitting with the Hardys in the first design presentation meeting and suggesting the use of their logo colors on the entry by sketching with markers on the trace paper. Their reaction was an immediate and affirmative, “YES!”
Some of my favorite elements of the project are the exposed wood inside and out. In contrast to the smooth and bold red and black branding elements, the natural wood provides a sense of scale and warmth. We chose an exterior marine-grade pine to hold up to the harsh environment of the humid South, and the interior fir guardrails accentuate the circulation to the loft.
