SMU Armstrong Fieldhouse

Project Statement

This capstone project proposes a collegiate sports rehabilitation and education facility located on the campus of Southern Methodist university (SMU) in Dallas, Texas. The project serves student athletes, injured student-athletes, athletic trainers, physical therapists, sports medicine staff, and students pursuing careers in athletic training, sports medicine, and sports media. The facility integrates rehabilitation, training, recovery, and educational observation within an estimated 50,000 square feet, responding to both athletic performance needs and academic objectives.

Client priorities include supporting physical recovery while addressing the emotional and psychological challenges athletes face during injury, maintaining privacy and dignity, reinforcing SMU’s athletic identity, and providing opportunities for supervised education and observation without disrupting rehabilitation. Social and cultural research from the previous semester identified disparities in access to holistic recovery environments and highlighted the importance of mental health, motivation, and identity preservation during injury. Economically, the project emphasizes durable, high-performance materials and flexible planning to support long-term institutional value. Culturally, the facility reflects SMU’s competitive athletic culture while promoting resilience, inclusivity, and well-being. Environmental and climatic considerations specific to North Texas—such as heat, solar exposure, and seasonal weather shifts—inform decisions related to daylight control, thermal comfort, and material performance.

Concept Statement

Mustang Momentum is inspired by the SMU Mustangs’ defining qualities of strength, speed, resilience, and forward motion. The concept reframes injury recovery not as a pause, but as a controlled acceleration toward return and reinvention. Just as a mustang gains power through movement and discipline, the interior environment supports athletes through a balance of dynamic energy and restorative calm.

The color palette draws directly from SMU red, white, and blue, interpreted in layered, sophisticated tones—deep navy and slate blues ground the space, warm whites provide clarity and calm, and restrained accents of SMu red signal strength, motivation, and identity. Materials reinforce this narrative: textured woods and matte metals reflect durability and grit, while soft acoustical fabrics, rubberized athletic flooring, and upholstered seating support comfort and recovery. Linear lighting, rhythmic architectural elements, and directional circulation paths subtly reference motion, progress, and momentum, echoing the mustang’s stride.

Moments of branding and symbolism are intentionally placed—through graphics, color blocking, and material transitions—so athletes remain connected to team identity without overwhelming the healing process. The result is a facility that honors SMU’s competitive spirit while fostering dignity, focus, and resilience during recovery.

Floorplans & Site

Criteria Matrix

Building Analysis Table

Sections & Elevations

Renderings

Take a peek inside the dynamic spaces. This project was an exciting one; I have not collaborated with others in a project before. This challenged me to embrace working with other design and architecture students while still designing a space that feels high-performance, inspiring, and fully functional for athletic excellence.