Shawmut Design and Construction is the recipient of the Outstanding Sports Facilities Award by the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association for Collegiate Athletics (NIRSA) for its work on the Brown University fitness and aquatics center. The 92,000 s/f facility houses the Nelson Fitness Center, Moran Coleman Aquatics Center, Zucconi Center, and Ittleson Quad. The NIRSA Awards recognize innovative designs of new, renovated, or expanded collegiate recreational facilities of NIRSA member institutions that demonstrate excellence in architectural design, functionality, and appropriateness to intended purpose.
"We are honored to be recognized by NIRSA for our work on the one-of-a-kind athletic facilities at Brown," said Ron Simoneau, vice president at Shawmut.
The project consisted of ground-up construction incorporating an ornate brick façade and aluminum roof.
The project was built with the upmost sustainability in mind, utilizing the largest hybrid solar-powered electrical and heating installation in the United States. The solar panels on the Coleman Center allow the University to generate enough power to light the building and enough thermal energy to heat the center's million-gallon pool. The facility is now on target to receive LEED Gold Certification.