Clemson University’s new 14,500 sf Soccer Operations Complex is an appropriately celebratory home for both its nationally ranked Men’s and Women’s Soccer programs. Creative design enabled Clemson to create a cutting-edge facility that accommodates the varied needs of both Men’s and Women’s teams, serves as a recruitment tool, and fulfills the University’s commitment to sustainable building practices. Clever design enabled Clemson University to maximize its $8,000,000 budget to provide a dedicated practice facility befitting the caliber of its nationally ranked Soccer programs.

Guided by the Soccer program’s commitment to equality for both Men’s and Women’s teams, design carefully considered how internal organization and circulation defined the experience of players, coaches, trainers, and recruits. Duplicate spaces for each team provide equal support to both Men’s and Women’s programs. Dedicated coaches’ lockers recognize the gender diversity within the coaching and training staff: facilities accommodate male staff for the Women’s team and female staff for the Men’s team.

Centering shared spaces like the lobby, sports medicine, and player patio at the center of the building ensured both teams had access to the building’s largest spaces for recruitment events. Placing commemorative spaces in the most highly trafficked areas of the building ensures the achievements of both programs are highly visible to all. Trophies and kits for both the Men’s and Women’s teams are displayed prominently in the lobby and “portal,” communicating their equal importance to the program. At night, the illuminated “portal” makes interior displays and graphics visible from adjacent fields. The interior architecture of the building enables this proud showcase of both the Men’s and Women’s spaces.

Interior details reinforce the building’s angular architecture. Geometric soffits and elongated strip lighting enhance ceilings. Bold pops of orange highlight the angular pattern of the carpet throughout. Angles also highlight the difference in Men’s and Women’s locker rooms, tailored to serve their respective programs. A continuous solid surface bench emphasizes the oval shape of the Men’s locker room, unifying the custom lockers that serve as both storage space and jersey display opportunities. Clemson orange edge banding provides a small but powerful accent to the Women’s locker doors. Modular furniture makes each team space flexible, and warm wood accents invigorate an otherwise neutral color palette.