The project addresses a critical infrastructure need for an all-season space for practice, training, and recreation, particularly during winter months. Located in the northeast, Brown is subject to the harsh New England winters, often posing a significant challenge to field sports like rugby, football, and soccer. Rather than reducing the amount of practice time available from November through April, the new indoor turf facility provides versatile space for all of Brown’s athletic teams to continue to train throughout the colder months. At the same time, the controlled environment and indoor turf practice field will enable other typically outdoor activities, like intramural kickball and frisbee, creating huge benefits for the entire student community as well as athletes.

Designing Transitions in Building Scale

Sasaki’s design approach reflects a careful balance between function, context, and community. Given the facility’s location near residential neighborhoods, special attention was paid to massing and building scale. The design mediates between the large volume required for indoor field sports and the proximity to smaller-scale surrounding context of privately owned residences. Through thoughtful architectural design decisions to break up the massing on the south and north facades, a restrained material palette, and densely landscaped areas, the building integrates into the existing site while minimizing its visual impact on adjacent properties.

In replacing Meister-Kavan Field, the Indoor Turf Facility will also decrease noise disruptions generated from outdoors practices, ensuring mindfulness for the nearby communities and residences.

Designing with the Site 

Through close landscape and architectural collaboration, Sasaki converted a 14’ grade drop challenge into an opportunity to create a two level facility with entrance at the top level, overlooking the field. A one story structure on the West side of the project works as the main entrance of the building with the more public/transparent spaces and views overlooking the field. Along the North edge, Sasaki transformed the area into a dynamic stepped – rolling plaza, with lots of seating that works as a gateway for the athletic community, serving the adjacent Soccer & Lacrosse Stadium and other practice fields, creating lots of gathering opportunities and shade. 

Supporting the Student Body

The facility supports football, lacrosse, soccer,and rugby, and simultaneously allows Brown to enhance intramural sports programs, grow undergraduate participation in recreation, and create more space for wellness activities that will enhance the student experience. The Indoor Turf Facility is expected to bolster the physical and athletic well-being of 1,000 varsity student athletes, 1,500 club sport participants, and over 2,500 students involved in general intramurals. While Brown already boasts a 92% athletics and recreation participation rate, the facility is expected to increase this rate due to its accessibility beyond seasonal restrictions. Beyond weather, the facility will dedicate approximately 2,500 square feet to a strength and conditioning section to further guarantee that students can holistically exercise wellness in and out of practice. 

The facility stands as a strategic investment not only in the performance of Brown’s varsity programs, but also in the everyday student experience, ensuring that all students have the space and opportunity to stay active, healthy, and connected.