Syracuse University Practice Football Facility / Bernheimer Architecture

Designed by Bernheimer Architecture for Syracuse University, the football practice facility along with a larger strategic masterplan for the Lampe Athletic Campus situated about 3 miles south of the Main Campus seeks to create an identity for this new “middle campus” by making an assemblage of disparate buildings into a strong collection. By creating an environment that would enhance the practice session, the architects stay true to one of Vince Lombardi’s favorite quotes, “Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect”. More images and architects’ description after the break.

Courtesy of Bernheimer Architecture

The site in its current state is an array of various athletic fields and parking lots situated between a residential neighborhood to the west and the Manley Field House to the east. The spaces between the buildings are differentiated with separate vegetation zones and ground surface treatments that reinforce this sense of place and identity and establish the area as a social space for students and student-athletes.

Courtesy of Bernheimer Architecture

Composed as a highly regulated and repetitive structure, all systems throughout the facility are deployed in the service of order and conceived to reinforce a sense of regularity and consistency. Column bays and light queen post trusses occur every ten yards, in alignment with the field landmarks. Translucent wall panels provide a well-lit neutral background and daylighting to minimize energy use. The base of the building is formed from precast concrete panels that are cast with patterned dimples of embedded footballs.

Architects: Bernheimer Architecture
Location: Syracuse, New York, United States
Team: Andrew Bernheimer, Max Worrell, Aaron Forrest, Lara-Shihab-Eldin, Jeff Sullivan
Structural Engineer: Guy Nordenson and Associates – Brett Schneider
Project Size: 100,000 s.f.
Project Year: 2011