IDENTIFIED CHALLENGES
The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) is an academic health system that encourages a holistic, medically integrated approach to health and wellness. They wanted that approach reflected in a fitness center dedicated to the well-being of LECOM students and faculty, and also available to the community in Erie, Pennsylvania. Creating the kind of extraordinary facility LECOM had in mind meant turning challenges like the following into reality:
- Construct a new fitness and wellness center—that includes medical office spaces as well—on a constrained corner lot within a dense urban property
- Maximize the challenging space’s potential with smart design strategies
- Integrate a variety of designated activity areas into a single, easy-to-navigate facility
- Convey a design aesthetic emblematic of LECOM’s bold health and wellness philosophy
- Use features and mechanical systems ideally suited for the cool, cloudy weather of Erie
APPROACH / OUTCOME
To create the John M. & Silvia Ferretti Medical Fitness & Wellness Center, LECOM wanted a flexible design-build partner who would work hard to understand their business objectives as well as the osteopathic view of nurturing the mind, body, and spirit. ERDMAN responded with these solutions:
- Experimented with various options in the planning stage to help LECOM prioritize their needs
- Remained flexible in the design process, allowing the best options to emerge organically and LECOM to reach prudent final decisions
- Designed an intuitive layout that incorporates the many fitness and wellness areas while maintaining the integrity of individual spaces, for example, quiet areas for yoga and spa treatments are separated from louder areas
- Signified a new direction in health and wellness with a clean, modern building geometry
- Designed glass curtain wall expanses and clerestory windows to maximize day-lighting
- Optimized energy efficiency with features like cool roofing, energy efficient HVAC components, building automation, efficient lighting, and Low-E glazed windows
LECOM now offers a center with something for nearly every wellness goal. Membership continues to grow and the facility has not only become integral to the LECOM campus; it’s grown to be an important part of the community.
QUICK FACTS
- Location: Erie, PA
- 110,000 SF facility incorporates 82,000 SF devoted to a fitness center with physical therapy and 28,000 SF of medical office space
- Three-lane indoor track (nine laps/mile) and three pools: five-lane, 25-meter lap pool; 2,000 SF exercise pool; 550 SF therapy pool
- Two racquetball courts, gymnasium and dedicated aerobics, yoga, Pilates, cardio, free weights and spinning areas
- Amenities include spa services, Zen garden, golf simulation range, internet lounge, children’s center, gift shop and healthy meals café/teaching kitchen.
- Contract Amount: $30,749,266
- Completed: 2009