Dillon Gymnasium is an integral part of residential life on campus that serves as a destination, a meeting place, and an all-hours center of activity. Built in 1947 in the Collegiate Gothic style, the iconic 150,000 sf structure is located on a prominent site at the heart of Princeton’s campus. Previously home to all varsity athletics, the current Dillon Gym hosts all campus recreation programming for the University, serving undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff.

The existing gymnasium was built upon the remains of a former gym building that burned in 1944. Despite a series of renovations and upgrades since the building’s original construction, accessible routes to program areas remained limited and often compromised. The existing space dedicated to general fitness was limited and disconnected from main circulation routes. Key spaces inside and outside of the building were dramatically underutilized, including unused squash courts and prime exterior space that was occupied by modular structures.

This unique adaptive-reuse and expansion project creates a hub of campus wellness that transforms the center of campus into an inclusive space for the entire University community.

During concept development, the design team discovered key areas of existing space that were underutilized, predominantly 16 existing squash courts which could be repurposed, thus decreasing the amount of new construction required. With this creative programming approach, the area these courts occupied will serve as the main entrance, reception area, primary fitness equipment space, and the connection to a modest 14,200 sf new addition that is far better contextualized within the campus.

The new and renovated program spaces include strength and conditioning facilities; multi-purpose fitness studios; a lobby and reception area; recreation staff offices and consultation room; golf simulator facility; gender inclusive restrooms; an exterior fitness courtyard; and a landscaped pedestrian entry plaza that transforms an under-utilized parking lot.