Sasaki designed the Racquet Fieldhouse with two main objectives: to establish a premier facility for varsity athletics, and to create a cornerstone of the new Meadows Neighborhood, Princeton’s most recent student housing and recreation development. The fieldhouse forges a vibrant sports complex that honors Princeton’s athletic legacy, draws students and spectators alike from the wider community, and supports competitive athletes while fostering an inclusive environment for players of every level.

Design for a New Campus Neighborhood

The project was designed to accommodate current and future needs, strategically maximizing shared spaces among different sports and achieving cost efficiencies in both construction and operations—all while upholding the University’s core commitment to sustainability. 

The building organization, scale, and material choices were carefully designed to reflect its vast pastoral surroundings. The upper public concourse seamlessly links the main entrance and lobby to the spectator seating, while the lower concourse connects the lockers to tennis and squash venues and is lined with coaches’ offices. Expansive glazed openings and clear, intuitive signage ensure that both visitors and athletes can navigate the building with ease.

The building mass is composed of three separate volumes and an outdoor tennis facility, organized around a central circulation spine that extends from East to West. The ‘Bar’ building stands as a focal point, housing the main entrance, a welcoming lobby, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and specialized areas for varsity programs. The expansive pre-engineered buildings encompass the squash and tennis courts, spectator seating, and visitor lockers and are situated lower into the topography, minimizing their scale and visual impact on the adjacent Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park. The ‘Connector’ building, which links the two larger volumes, houses the varsity lockers, a student lounge, and concessions. A landscaped courtyard nestled between the volumes overlooks the outdoor tennis courts and serves as a communal gathering space.

The gable forms of the Racquet Fieldhouse draw inspiration from the pastoral environment of the surrounding Meadows neighborhood, while a palette of corrugated metal, glass, and composite wood panels lend these forms a pared-down, modern industrial aesthetic. A pedestrian scale is achieved by a distinctive datum that extends across the facade of the building, defining a hierarchy of materials and openings. Large, strategically placed windows offer unobstructed views of the lush campus grounds establishing strong connections between the interior and exterior.

A Catalyst for Community 

In addition to its primary function as a sports facility, the Racquet and Recreation Fieldhouse assumes the role of a vibrant community and wellness hub within the new Meadows neighborhood. Thoughtfully designed lounge areas, collaborative spaces, and artful amenities nurture intellectual exchange, camaraderie, and the holistic development of students. Open to the greater Princeton community, the main fitness area offers a bright exercise space, lockers, showers, and a group fitness studio that can be independently programmed for a variety of classes and activities.

Advancing Princeton’s Sustainability Goals

Employing a highly insulated envelope, triple-glazing, and energy-efficient light fixtures, the building is designed to minimize energy consumption. The composite wood louvers on the facade were optimized to reduce glare while providing maximum natural light, supplemented with skylights and large windows where possible. The project is on track for net-zero energy and LEED Gold certification, using district energy with geo-exchange and recycled gray water systems.

The indoor tennis courts utilize an advanced natural ventilation system designed to enhance environmental sustainability and user comfort while decreasing the building’s reliance on traditional cooling methods during summer months. During the colder months, the indoor tennis courts use radiant floors to ensure even and efficient heating. Strategically placed mechanically-operated louvers along the north and south facades allow the facility to adapt to varying climatic conditions, maximizing natural airflow efficiency.

The project also adopts the use of low-carbon concrete, a material known for significantly reducing carbon emissions compared to traditional concrete. Furthermore, the building is heated and cooled by the new district geo-exchange system, which uses the earth’s natural heating and cooling storage capacity to maximize efficiency in the electric heat pump facility.

A Testament to Princeton’s Legacy

The Racquet and Recreation Fieldhouse embodies Princeton University’s dedication to education through athletics and competitive excellence while representing a forward-looking approach to sports and sustainability. The Fieldhouse exceeds the traditional notion of a sports facility by becoming a hub for students, faculty, and staff, fostering a sense of community within an inclusive and vibrant campus environment.