In the early spring of 2023, BYU Athletic Director Tom Holmoe tasked Physical Facilities with a two-pronged design challenge.
1. Enhance the football training area on Level 2 of the Student-Athlete Building (SAB) so that athletes can meet in their respective positions for more specific, individualized training.
2. Refresh the Athlete Academic Center on Level 3 of the SAB while increasing its capacity, enticing the athletes to use it, and incentivizing prospective recruits.
Physical Facilities met these challenges with innovative and creative solutions, many of which relied heavily on the strategic space planning of the Interior Design Department.
On Level 2, two relocated “war rooms” were optimized with conference tables that include technology support for up to 15 occupants, doubling the conference tables as a work surface when not being used for large meetings. Additional square footage was approved for a second team meeting room so that both offensive and defensive lines could meet separately when needed. All position rooms donated their loose furniture to the South Campus Building project and received new, fixed seating, which increased the capacity of each room by a minimum of five additional players.
On Level 3, all interior walls were demolished, and all private offices were removed. By eliminating 20 private offices, Physical Facilities was able to increase the capacity of the Academic Center by 70%. All full-time employees of the space were grouped in one location with an open-office concept, heightening the amount of collaboration taking place and eliminating wasted space. Since the new center's grand opening in the fall of 2023, the center hasn’t had a single day when all the tutors and study rooms created for the athletes have reached capacity. In addition to providing over 20 group study rooms for the student-athletes, 3 private counseling rooms were incorporated into the design. These counseling rooms are used for a variety of issues, from health and wellness to academic success. Physical Facilities was proud to come together as a group on this project and see its successful implementation among the students. The countless comments and exclamations of excitement when a student-athlete sees the space for the first time have been the highlight for the PF team.