UNH Hamel Hall

Location: Durham, NH

Completed: 2018

Category: Public / Higher Ed

Type: New Construction / Renovation

Square Footage: 54,175 sf - Addition / 89,670 sf - Renovation

Cost: $35.5 million

Architect: Hughes Group Architects + Oak Point Associates

Awards: 2018 NIRSA Outstanding Facility Design Award

Description: “The existing Hamel Recreation Center at UNH is a three-story, laminated timber arch structure which was originally built in the mid-1960’s. In the 1990’s a new ice rink (the Whittemore Center) was constructed adjacent, and connected to, the Hamel Recreation Center.

The original ice rink in Hamel was demolished and the vacated space was renovated to serve the recreation and fitness needs of the student body. In recent years, UNH recognized the need for expansion of recreation resources to address overcrowding.

As a result, the University hired the team of Hughes Group Architects and Oak Point Associates to design a 54,175 sf addition and an 89,670 sf renovation to the Hamel Recreation Center. Oak Point Associates provided civil, mechanical, structural, electrical, and fire protection engineering as well as landscape architectural services.

The two-story addition includes 15,000 sf of Multi-Activity Court (MAC) space, 15,000 sf of fitness space, a running track, a bouldering wall and social space. The new addition was placed over a portion of the existing outdoor pool, which was also redesigned as part of the project. The new pool is over 14,000 sf in size, including both an 8-lane lap pool and a 9,000 sf leisure pool. “ - Oak Point Associates