Seibert Hall Samford University Homewood, Ala.

Project Description:

Founded in 1841, Samford University spans 247 acres and is renowned for its Georgian-Colonial architecture and picturesque campus. Seibert Hall has served as a recreation space for students since it opened as the Physical Education building in 1959. Now, as part of the largest capital project in the university’s history, Seibert Hall has been completely renovated and expanded to create a state-of-the-art student recreation, health and wellness center. Since its opening last September, Seibert Hall has seen monthly visits range from 35,000 to 40,000 – far surpassing the previous facility’s total annual visits of 75,000.

The redesigned facility features an NCAA-sized basketball court, a multi-use court, studios for fitness and dance classes, an esports studio, and cutting-edge weight and cardio equipment. Additional amenities include a multipurpose workout area, adaptive fitness equipment, recovery spaces and common areas for students to gather. The building also houses a coffee shop, a 24-hour convenience store, and student lounge areas with massage chairs and foosball, billiards and ping pong tables. A new 20,000-square-foot addition to the existing Seibert Hall provides expanded recreation and event space. The addition includes a suspended indoor track, additional courts and cardio areas, sound and staging for campus events, a catering kitchen, covered outdoor athletic space, a pedestrian walkway and a balcony overlooking Bobby Bowden Field.

The renovation preserves Samford’s signature Georgian-Colonial aesthetic while incorporating modern design elements, including expansive glass features. Flooring from the 1959 gym was repurposed as wayfinding signage, a central feature staircase, and custom desks and conference tables.