Sportime/John McEnroe Tennis Academy

Randall's Island, USA

Photo © Norman McGrath

Photo © Vincent Laforet

Photo © Norman McGrath

Architects: RZAPS (Ricardo Zurita Architecture & Planning, P.C.)

Location: Randall's Island, USA
Year: 2009

A new tennis facility replaced a smaller, outdated facility as part of the master plan authored for the island by the architect. Working with a private developer in a NY City-owned park run by a not-for-profit organization presented challenges since each organization was responsible to different constituents' priorities and needs. The design accommodates the program on a tight 12-acre site.

The project includes 20 tennis courts, a 16,000 SF two-story clubhouse, and permanent stadium-court seating for 1,000 able to expand temporarily to 2,500. A pre-engineered steel fieldhouse structure encloses five courts year-round while the remaining courts are enclosed seasonally by air-supported structures. The facility conforms to USTA standards.

The design challenges the idea of tennis centers as hermetically sealed, climate-controlled environments without natural light or fresh air by reducing the negative impact of the building on the environment, reducing energy consumption, and promoting occupant health.