Cannon's University of Maine recreation and fitness center earns AIANE honor

Cannon Design has been honored with a Special Mention for Excellence in Architecture Award from the American Institute of Architects, New England (AIANE) for its work on the student recreation and fitness center at the University of Maine. Cannon Design was selected out of 271 entries for this award. This program recognizes projects designed anywhere in the world by architects who are registered in any of the New England states and whose practice is domiciled in New England. Since its opening, the 88,000 s/f student recreation and fitness center has become a hub of healthy, productive campus activity for students, faculty and staff and community members. The center is a focal point for the campus that embraces sustainability, inventive design and student body well being. "We are thrilled that our project at the University of Maine was given this award for design excellence by the AIANE. Our goal was to help transform the campus in a positive way with the least impact on the environment while enhancing the lives of students, faculty, staff and others," said Colleen McKenna, associate AIA, LEED, AP, associate principal. The student recreation and fitness center is the largest building project ever undertaken at the University of Maine. Granted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification, the facility features a three-court gymnasium, fitness center, natatorium (with swimming pool and sauna), walking/jogging track, multiple activity court, racquetball (convertible to squash) courts, and support spaces. The contemporary building fits seamlessly into its heavily wooded site and incorporates sustainable building materials and systems, including heat-recovery systems and recycled materials.