SUNY Plattsburg Memorial Hall
Memorial Hall was constructed in 1962 and (along with the Field House) serves as the Athletics, Recreation, Wellness, Sports Medicine, and Fitness Center for the SUNY Plattsburg campus. While Memorial Hall had received some life safety upgrades over the years, very little had changed to the building since its initial construction. The building had not met the needs of students, staff and the varsity athletic programs for many years, the mechanical systems had reached the end of their useful life and interior finishes were worn out and no longer attractive or functional. The existing facility also lacked a sense of arrival and had a very confusing and difficult circulation pattern.
While the 1960’s were about “fitness as work”, today’s students would describe “fitness as play.” Health and Wellness is not only a lifestyle, but it is currently very in fashion. Fitness and athletic complexes today are expected to provide a dynamic “see and be seen” experience, promoting interaction between students and creating social incentives to stay fit.
Owner: State University Construction Fund | State University of New York Plattsburg
Location: 44 Rugar Street | Plattsburg, New York 12901
Completed: March 2022
Design Award Year: 2022-’23
Award Category: Institutional
Project Type: Renovation
Award Level: Citation
Submitting Architect and Project Link:
Quay Thompson, AIA
To update the Memorial Hall athletic facility and its outdated model of the function, the campus had identified goals for the building that included the following:
• Use existing space more efficiently
• Take advantage of the views of Saranac River
• Bring the outside in through a visual connection
• Let the inside flow out into the outdoor rec space
• Create a hub for student movement and activity
• Create an inviting, social destination for students
• Increase traffic through the building by creating welcoming spaces that students want to occupy
• Highlight the unique identity of each department within the building and develop contemporary and inviting entrances to the different departments.
To achieve the campus goals, a complete gut renovation to most of the building and reorganization of the space plan on all three levels was needed. This would address deficiencies in program space and allow for increased building utilization.
Juror Comments
“Renovations to create welcoming and well-branded public spaces.”
“The project’s interiors are well coordinated and a good use of the existing building.”
“The integration of wood throughout softens the material palette and creates balanced spaces.”
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