Merit in Architecture Winner

Vaughan Athletic Center

In 1999, the Aurora Tennis Club was purchased to develop it and its site into a larger, full-service recreation facility. The 13-acre site was strategically located on the Fox Valley Park District’s far west side, adding a 173,657 sf addition to the existing 55,000 sf Club. It was apparent that having enough site space for the required program, ample detention due to high ground water, and required parking would be difficult objectives to achieve. Building elements were arranged to maximize the site usage, allowing for two detention basins, parking, and landscaping with natural prairie grasses and other plantings to maintain the Midwestern prairie context.

The design of the Vaughan Athletic Center differentiates itself from other athletic centers with its openness and excellent visibility, for participants to view the outdoors and passersby to look inside. Transparency makes it less confusing for visitors to find their way through the building. Interior windows increase visual interest of the activities taking place, and insure ample daylight.  Fabric panels suspended from the fire-resistant coated decking add color and aesthetics.

High performance tinted glazing and sunscreens were used in the exterior curtain walls and windows to limit heat gain and reduce glare. With less solar load on the building, HVAC units are appropriately sized smaller.  Energy-saving best practices for electrical systems included a central lighting control system, energy efficient down lights, troffers and high efficiency light sources. An automatic time-based light control system is used for exterior lights, with energy efficient electronic ballasts with T8 fluorescent lamps for the interior. Pulse start MH ballast and Variable Frequency Drives for the pool pumps were also implemented.

2008 AIA NEI Sponsors

Platinum
AMSCO Engineering
M.G. Welbel & Assoc.

Gold
Berg Engineering Consultants, Ltd.

Silver
20/10 Engineering Group, LLC
AVI Midwest
Degler Design, Inc.
Design Perspectives
Drucker Zajdel Structural Engineers
ECS Illinois, LLC
Eriksson Engineering Associates, Ltd.
Euclid Insurance
Illinois Brick Company
R. I. Johnson & Associates
Northfield Block Co.
W.B. Olson, Inc
Ragnar Benson Construction, LLC
The George Sollitt Construction Co.
W-T Engineering

Contributor
Aerotek Architecture & Engineering
Aucutts - A Robinson Brick Co.
Building Stone Products
City Five Development
Clay Products
McCluskey Engineering Corp.
Metro Design Associates, Inc.
RAMM Brick & Supply

We extend a special “Thank you!” to our new and returning 2008 sponsors. Sponsors enable AIA Northeast Illinois to provide many of the programs and events that are held during the year. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please call the chapter office at 630/527-8550.