Wesley Brown Field House - Merit Award Winner

Architect:  HKS, Inc.  In association with Shalom Baranes Associates
Owner:  U.S. Naval Academy
General Contractor:  Hensel Phelps Construction Company
Photographer:  HKS, Inc

Project Narrative

The Wesley A. Brown Field House was programmed to serve as an event venue for indoor track and field and volleyball, in addition to a practice facility for football, basketball, and lacrosse. The charge from the US Navy was to design a structure that would house these athletic uses while, at the same time, capture the spirit and character of the neighboring buildings and create a dynamic image along the waterfront where the Academy’s sailing fleet is docked.

As this facility will be the focal point for the Academy’s recruitment of student athletes, the concept was to frame the entire north wall of the Grand Hall with glass; providing panoramic views of the harbor and beyond and forever branding this field house to the US Navy. The long-span box trusses that support the sweeping roof are anchored by a series of over-sized concrete piers to create a strong and permanent face to the sea. This transparent seawall is 400 feet long by 40 feet high and serves both as visual connecting fabric and as a beacon. A true seawall was constructed in 1900 at the north edge of this site, but the land edge was later moved north to provide more buildable area.

The field house is named after Lt. Cmdr. Wesley A. Brown USN (ret.), the first African-American Midshipman to graduate from the United States Naval Academy.

Jury Comments:

• A building type which is often done poorly, however this example take full advantage of the unique site.
• Consistent, strong execution on all levels of detail.
• Exquisite interior and excellent connection to surrounding site.