Architecture
The overall architectural design of the UC Athletic Center is characterized by its unique exterior façade. The façade consists of a triangulated “exo-skeleton” of concrete-covered steel. This skeleton, sometimes referred to as a “diagrid”, forms a visually dominant shell around the building. The heaviness of this exterior system is offset by its light color and by the fact is appears to be lifted off the ground by a series of v-shaped columns. Also unique to the building is its curved shape. There are no corners in plan, creating a rather unusual kidney or “link-pin” shape. The interior space of the building itself is divided by a 5-story atrium running down the middle of its main section. To each side are offices, meeting rooms, and administrative areas. Below ground is a more conventional rectangular footprint, with mainly sports facilities and locker rooms. Horizontal movement through the building is kept simple by its compact design, however vertical movement is facilitated by a set of elevators and a grand staircase in the atrium.

Major National Model Codes
The building code used for this project is the 1998 Ohio Basic Building Code. Other major codes and standards are: Structural - ACI 301, AISC LRFD Design Specs; Mechanical – ASHRAE 90; Electrical – NEC 2002. All disciplines also reference the University of Cincinnati Design Guidelines and Standards Manual.

Zoning and Historical
The building sits on an extremely tight site between the Nippert Football Stadium and Shoemaker Center. The footprint bends to accommodate the existing facilities, however, part of the Shoemaker Center will be demolished to eventually connect to the UC Athletic Center below grade. The Athletic Center is the centerpiece in a multi-facility construction plan dubbed the “Varsity Village”. It has been designed to become the main architectural and social link between all current and planned athletic facilities.

Building Envelope
The building envelope is primarily composed of the triangular diagrid mentioned above. This system is used for the exterior walls of the four uppermost levels. The system skeleton consists of steel W-sections with concrete casings. Most of the triangles contain offset glazings, however some have concrete fills to create a smooth, continuous surface. Below grade is a typical concrete retaining wall system and slab on grade. The roof is a 4” normal weight topping on steel deck and framing.

Electrical
Power for the building is taken from a 12.5 kV campus loop.  Medium voltage switchgear in a redundant double-ended unit substation transforms the utility tap down to 480/277V.  A 480V switchboard located in an adjacent room distributes power to each floor's electrical closet vertically via cable feeders in conduit.  Voltage is then transformed down to service 208/120V panelboards, where it is fed to branch circuits.  Sufficient spare capacity is provided for future loads.  Typical 20A grounded power receptacles are placed in each room.  Isolated circuits are provided for computer equipment outlets to reduce detrimental harmonic effects.  An 800 kW diesel generator supplies four hours of autonomous backup.

Lighting
The majority of luminaires are high-efficiency fluorescent modular ceiling recessed fixtures, predominant in the office and non-public areas.  Compact fluorescent with rapid start electronic ballasts are also used.  Local switches and occupancy sensors provide their control.  In more specialized spaces, such as kitchens and multi-purpose rooms, tungsten accents lights and track lighting combine with time programs and scene set dimmers to allow detailed control.  In the atrium, linear fluorescent lamps with louvers respond to daylight levels in the atrium through the use of an array of light level sensors.  The exterior diagrid facade is floodlit in an upward direction by luminaires with changeable optics.  Emergency lighting is provided as specified by code.

Mechanical
The building is fully air conditioned and heated.  The mechanical system is served by low velocity double wall air handling units in two equipment rooms.  Chilled water for cooling is supplied by a University of Cincinnati central chilled water plant.  The 45 degree water is metered upon entrance to the building.  Two secondary, variable speed pumps sized for 100% of the 720 ton cooling load circulate the water.  The building heating taps into the University's campus steam system.  Two parallel pressure reducing valves reduce the loop's high pressure steam to low pressure steam.  The steam is also converted to hot water by two straight-tube heat exchangers, operating independently or together.  Perimeter fin tube radiation and VAV boxes with hot water reheat condition each individual space.  Zone carbon dioxide sensors connected to the Building Management System control indoor air quality.

Structural
The foundation consists of concrete spread footings and drilled piers socketed into sound, interbedded shale and limestone.  Retaining walls 1'-6" thick provide some lateral stability and are braced by the basement slabs.  A section of the foundation is connected to the existing below-grade facilities of the adjacent Shoemaker Center.  The interior superstructure is a composite metal wide-flange beam system, supporting composite one-way slabs on metal deck.  Most connections are designed for shear only, with a few cantilevers supporting the atrium walkways as exceptions.  Loads are transferred down to the substructure through spliced columns.  The exterior superstructure is a triangulated diagrid, mentioned above, which provides both gravity and lateral bracing.  The diagrid acts as a rigid, continuous "deep beam".  It is supported by a series of V columns, moment-connected to the diagrid and foundation.  Internal lateral cross bracing also resists the wind and seismic loads.

Fire Protection
Active fire protection occurs through the fire alarm and sprinkler systems.  The fire alarm system is fully addressable and networked throughout the building.  Remote annunciation panels are provided.  Horns, strobe lights, smoke detectors, pull stations, and door release are integrated into the system.  The entire building is served by an automatic combined sprinkler and standpipe system, connected to the 12" campus water main.  It is a wet system, with quick-response fusible link or frangible bulb sprinkler heads.  Areas where freezing occurs are protected by an automatic dry type system.  Pressure-reducing valves regulate smoke buildup pressures on each sprinkler connection.  Standpipes are equipped with 2.5" hose valves, but no hoses.  In the case of fire during power loss, 1250 gpm fire and jockey pumps are connected to the emergency power supply.

Transportation
Horizontal transportation is facilitated by the dual-sided nature of the building.  Most of the building is split into two sections by a main corridor running North/South.  This corridor includes the main atrium and elevator lobby.  The atrium is bridged at each level from East to West to allow easier movement from one side to the other.  Outside the building, circulation is maintained by walkways under the perimeter overhangs.  Vertical transportation is provided by 6 stair cases and 3 elevators.  Only one of the stairs, the one included in the atrium,  spans the full height of the building.  Another provides access to a nearby parking garage only.  The rest service the above-grade floor levels and provide fire-rated stairwell enclosures for emergency egress.  The three elevators are situated in the heart of the building and their adjoining lobby opens to the atrium corridor at each level.

Telecommunications
Sophisticated Audio/Visual distribution network throughout the facility.  This includes cable, ethernet (2 systems - data and video), cat 5 telephone, and wireless.  Wall mounted combination voice/data outlet boxes provide telephone and ethernet access in the vast majority of offices, conference rooms, meeting spaces, etc.  Additional Audio/Visual equipment will be installed in the multi-purpose auditorium room. 

Special Systems
Although sustainable design is not by definition a "system", the guiding principles behind the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) impact all of the above systems.  For example, the structural system will incorporate local and regional materials and the mechanical equipment has been designed to optimize building energy performance while offering a better health environment for occupants.  The design of the entire building aims to achieve LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.