Project Kickoff & Facility Concept

In this project, you will act as a consultant tasked with designing a new sport or recreation facility. Rather than producing a full master plan, you will focus on:

1. 
   

   Designing 3–5 core functional areas.

   
   


2. 
   

   Simulating user occupancy and scheduling using simple data tools.

   
   


3. 
   

   Proposing one innovative or sustainable feature to enhance the facility.

   
   

Goals:

· Apply design thinking and spatial planning.

· Use basic analytics to justify facility usage and operations.

· Develop creative problem-solving skills relevant to real-world sport facility management.

Final Project Submission:

8 –10 page professional report + a 5-minute video PowerPoint presentation.

Project Roadmap

Week 1: Project Kickoff & Facility Concept

Objective: Define the scope of your facility and understand your users.

· Tasks:

· Select a facility type (e.g., community gym, university rec center, multisport complex).

· Identify your target user population (students, community members, athletes) and their primary needs (training, competition, wellness).

· Produce:

· 1-page concept summary that includes:

· Facility type

· Target audience

· Purpose and key objectives

· Tips: Keep it concise and focus on the problem your facility will solve.

Week 2: Needs Assessment (Simplified)

Objective: Use data to justify the functional areas you select.

· Tasks:

· Gather demographic and community data (public sources, census data, participation surveys, or instructor-provided mock data).

· Identify demand for 3–5 functional areas (e.g., basketball court, cardio area, multipurpose room).

· Produce:

· Table or chart showing projected usage for each area.

· Tips: Use simple bar charts or tables; clearly label user groups and expected number of users per area.

Week 3: Functional Layout Design

Objective: Visualize the facility and its user flow.

· Tasks:

· Draw a single-page 2D floor plan of your facility using:

· PowerPoint, Canva, or free online floor planner (e.g., RoomSketcher, Floorplanner.com)

· Show entrances, exits, circulation paths, and adjacency of areas.

· Produce:

· Annotated functional layout diagram with labels for all areas.

· Tips: Include arrows showing how users move through the facility; indicate any safety or accessibility considerations.

Week 4: Usage Simulation

Objective: Model facility occupancy and scheduling.

· Tasks:

· Use Excel or Google Sheets to simulate peak hour usage.

· Assume 10–20 users per area and create charts or visual dashboards to display expected occupancy.

· Produce:

· Occupancy chart or simple simulation dashboard.

· Tips: Focus on clear visualization, e.g., bar charts showing number of users per hour or area.

Week 5: Risk & Accessibility Check

Objective: Identify and address safety or accessibility issues.

· Tasks:

· Review your floor plan and user flow for safety risks (fire exits, narrow circulation paths, COVID spacing).

· Check for ADA compliance (e.g., ramps, door widths).

· Produce:

· 1–2 paragraph assessment describing key issues and suggested minor improvements.

· Optional diagram annotations showing adjustments.

· Tips: Focus on one or two critical improvements, not every minor detail.

Week 6: Innovation / Sustainability Feature

Objective: Introduce a creative feature that improves the facility.

· Tasks:

· Select one innovative or sustainable feature such as:

· Smart scheduling app

· Modular or flexible space

· Eco-friendly materials or energy efficiency

· Hybrid virtual fitness option

· Describe how it benefits users and operations.

· Produce:

· Short written description (1–2 paragraphs)

· Concept sketch, diagram, or annotation on the floor plan.

· Tips: Keep it realistic and feasible within your facility concept.

Week 7: Mini Financial Snapshot

Objective: Estimate basic costs and potential revenue.

· Tasks:

· Estimate low, medium, and high costs for your 3–5 functional areas plus your innovation feature.

· Optional: include basic revenue projections if memberships or classes are sold.

· Produce:

· Simple table showing cost estimates and revenue assumptions.

· Tips: Round numbers and use ranges; the goal is to demonstrate financial thinking, not produce a detailed construction budget.

Week 8: Final Report & Presentation

Objective: Combine all project components into a professional final product to share.

· Tasks:

· Compile all previous weeks’ work into a 8–10 page APA-formatted report with visuals.

· Prepare a 5-minute video or live presentation summarizing:

· Facility concept

· Layout and user flow

· Usage simulation

· Innovation feature

· Produce:

· PDF of final report with diagrams and charts

· Video presentation uploaded to Canvas/shared with professor

General Guidance

· Keep it simple and creative: This project emphasizes problem-solving and applied thinking, not perfect CAD modeling or advanced analytics.

· Visuals matter: Floor plans, charts, and diagrams communicate ideas clearly to “stakeholders.”

· Use realistic assumptions: When estimating usage, costs, or occupancy, base your decisions on data or reasonable professional judgment.

· Be professional: Treat this as a real-world consulting project; write clearly and cite sources in APA style.