Originally conceived as a $34 million expansion project to add health programs to the existing recreation center, Northern Arizona University’s Health and Learning Center project evolved to include a complete overhaul of Lumberjack Stadium and two floors of much needed state-of-the-art classrooms—incorporating the school’s holistic health philosophy into course curricula.
Consolidating the program elements into this $83.2 million, 287,650 sf expansion and renovation project is estimated to have saved the university $12 million. The Health and Learning Center is the largest capital improvement project undertaken in NAU’s history, and is pursing LEED Gold certification.
The "fusion" building houses a 56,600 sf student health clinic including counseling and disability resources; 69,950 sf of classrooms; 121,600 sf of student recreation space; 39,500 sf of athletics space to meet NCAA title IX requirements; and substantial improvements to Lumberjack Stadium . Visuals take center stage, with recreation center windows overlooking the stadium, an indoor track capturing views of campus and multiactivity courts, and a window-lined lower level featuring a climbing wall and bouldering area. Daylighting is maximized throughout the building, promoting health and conserving energy. Other green features include a 100-panel solar-thermal array on the roof to heat water for locker rooms, a 60% reduction in potable water use, a carbon footprint 50% smaller than a typical building of the same size and function and energy consumption 28% below ASHRAE standards.
“Toward the end of the initial schematic design, NAU requested that Cannon Design study the feasibility of adding classroom and athletic space,” said Jason Boyer, AIA, LEED AP, design principal, Cannon Design. “We determined the added scope actually strengthened the project, creating a unique student-life experience benefitting the entire NAU campus community.”
“The outcome combined three building projects previously thought to be distinct and without overlap,” said Boyer. “This singular, larger building supports the combined goals of NAU’s master plan, strengthens the design steering committee’s project vision and saved $12 million in infrastructure costs.”
