The Cambridge War Memorial Athletic Center is a 73,000 sf, two-story facility located on the campus of the city’s comprehensive public high school. With its three pools, gymnasium, field house, and multipurpose rooms, War Memorial serves 1,900 students daily and functions as Cambridge’s central community athletic facility.
HMFH’s renovations helped the city better serve its various user populations by creating separate spaces for students, athletic teams, and community users, with easy circulation between spaces used by each group. The student entrance opens into bright, spacious corridors lined with classrooms and administration, allowing for supervision of students as they move toward team locker rooms and physical education spaces, while the community entrance brings users directly past the reception desk and offers simplified navigation toward frequently-used facilities. Distinct administrative spaces have been created for team coaches, physical education, and the city’s recreation department.
Renovations have also improved the Center’s appearance and sustainability. Vibrant tile work and wave-patterned terrazzo flooring add both visual appeal and durability to the Center, which is in the process of becoming LEED Certified.