Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center University of Wisconsin Madison, Wis.

Project Description:

The Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center at the University of Wisconsin was designed to not only address the current and future recreation and fitness needs of the Madison community, but to become the center for wellbeing on a campus of nearly 50,000 students. The concept of total-body wellness inspires site integration, exterior massing and all interior spaces to create a truly unique collegiate recreation center experience.

Located near Lake Mendota, the new center offers a 25-yard recreational pool, eight basketball courts, an ice sheet with spectator seating, multiple fitness areas, multipurpose studios and an indoor jogging track. The design also incorporates an adapted fitness space for the university’s Kinesiology program, esports, all-sport simulators, and a demonstration kitchen to provide a more inclusive experience.

The design programmatically complements a recently opened recreation center on the opposite side of campus but strives to provide a unique environment that is inspired by wellness and its natural setting. From a four-level fitness center that is located specifically to capture views of Lake Mendota, to multiple rooftop terraces, the design is focused on connecting the users of the building with the landscape surrounding the facility.

UW-Madison’s Rec Well staff recognized a major deficit on campus in programming dedicated to wellness. Bakke offers atypical amenities including the Wellness Suite, the Mind Body Studio, nap pods, massage therapy rooms and study spaces.