KENT DENVER SCHOOL GYMNASIUM (YATES PAVILION)

The Kent Denver School once again called upon Semple Brown to create a unique experience from an traditional education project type, and rooted in the need to provide additional gym space for the campus. The addition provides two additional full size practice courts, and converts to a new competition court with an increased seating capacity of over 800, which  accommodates the entire school population.  The gym also hosts sports camps and other activities that benefit the larger community. 

The biggest challenge was maintaining a high-performing building envelope within a tight cost and construction schedule, while also providing walls with the durability required for a gymnasium.  The successful solution was the use of internally insulated tilt up concrete wall panels.  Architectural customization of the concrete panels became a defining feature of the gym exterior facade.

The school has been a champion of sustainability in recent years, including the installation of over 200 kW of photovoltaic rooftop panels and constructing a LEED platinum dining hall. The gymnasium will follow in the footsteps of these past sustainability goals, and is targeting LEED Gold certification.