Our approach to Freeman Athletic Center, which is programmed for intramural, not intercollegiate use, is based on the idea of making a place from which one can choose to observe or participate in a range of athletic pursuits.

Our design brings together activities once scattered across the Wesleyan University campus by incorporating an existing hockey rink into a new complex sited at the heart of the university's playing fields, and creating a new eight-lane, 400-meter track and soccer field.

The athletic center is a cluster of buildings, each with their own identity. The new field house, natatorium, administrative center, and existing hockey rink are linked by a main lobby that was designed to encourage participation in the activities of the center. It gives spectators access to the existing grandstand seating in the hockey rink, the new grandstand in the natatorium and the field house. Administrative offices are located off the lobby.

The field house has an open flexible space for recreational, intramural and intercollegiate athletics, including a 200-meter track; tennis courts, basketball courts and volleyball courts; an indoor track and field area and practice surfaces for all field sports. The natatorium includes a 50-meter by 25-yard pool and fixed seating for 300 spectators. The pool's length accommodates a shallow instructional area, a competition area and a deep end for diving. The center also has a multi-use room for exercise, wrestling, aerobics and martial arts. Other facilities include weight training rooms, locker rooms, offices and classrooms.