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The Wellness Center, designed by ikon.5, received the recognition during the Celebration of Architecture and Design Award Program at the One UN Plaza Hotel, during the Society's 57th National Conference in October. Representatives said 35 architectural firms were honored for 56 design projects across the country at the banquet.
"The use of recyclable and natural materials, such as a grass roof, day lighting, and ground-source heat pumps among other features, earned the building LEED-Silver certification for environmental efficiency," representatives said.
The two-story, 54,000-square-foot Wellness Center includes a 1,500-seat gymnasium, competition-size pool, suspended running track, fitness center and classrooms.
The Wellness Center, which was completed in 2008, "merges the relationship between building and landscape, and in doing so reduces energy consumption and demonstrates good stewardship of the earth" according to the Society. The jury said the "rich use of materials and sculpting light," and that the Center’s design and execution effectively "rejuvenates the body and mind," according to a release.
Ikon.5 Principal Joseph G. Tattoni said that the award "not only recognizes the architect, but more importantly, the clients who support and encourage excellence," according to the release.
Representatives said ikon.5 architects designed The Wellness Center to be "a sheltered meditative precinct removed from the urban distractions of metropolitan New York that surround it" through the use of local granite, concrete, colored glass panels and land.
Judith Huntington, president of The College of New Rochelle, said the Center promotes "wellness of the body, mind and spirit" and that the Center has “directly contributed to our ability to draw high quality athletes to the College.”
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