University of Tennessee Intramural and Band Facility

A donation was made to the University of Tennessee Pride of the Southland Band by John and Ann Tickle to provide a Teaching / Observation tower for use by the Band leadership during practice. The Pride was the only band program in the SEC that did not have a dedicated tower. Additionally, they were sharing use of the Intramural Field for practice, which was in need of replacement, and there was no dedicated storage space at their practice location. Each day, equipment was transported back and forth from the Haslam Music Center. There was also no place for shelter in the event of inclement weather during practice.

As the designer for this project, the firm worked closely with UT Facilities Planning and Services, as well as the Band and REC Sports leadership to provide a solution that would not only solve these issues, but do so in a way that provides a timeless yet iconic gathering place and outdoor node for student, faculty, and public use. The resulting facility reflects a creative and collaborative solution to ensure user needs were met.

The solution consists of a two phase project including the new band tower, a 2,000 sf open air pavilion with dedicated storage and restroom facilities, and site design and landscaping in keeping with the campus aesthetic. The resulting Intramural & Band Pavilion assumes it’s prominent location between Tom Black Track and the TREC facility and displays materials and construction details reminiscent of the existing campus Collegiate Gothic architecture.

The site presented unique considerations in connecting and extending the existing TREC plaza to create a seamless transitory path for pedestrians. The tower, located on the 50 yard line of the practice field, drives the building location and articulation of the supporting structure. The landscape design, with pavers continuing seamlessly across the pavilion floor and into the surrounding plaza, blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior space.

The Pavilion boasts a high vaulted ceiling with a warm finish which appears to “float” atop massive stone pillars. The structural steel frame is detailed in such a way as to provide seamless support to the high roof and lift it effortlessly above the piers.

Inside the pavilion, the high roof provides shelter when needed, but allows a feeling of openness to the surrounding plaza with uninterrupted views of the field to the south, and an extension into the TREC plaza to the west.

Framework for Design Excellence