Pomona College Recreation Center

Elevating Athletic Design with Hybrid Engineering

This state-of-the-art educational gymnasium, completed in 2022, represents a sophisticated fusion of structural steel and mass timber. Designed to house expansive athletic spaces across 99,925 square feet, the project utilizes a hybrid system where high-performance CLT panels are integrated with structural steel trusses. By leaving the underside of the structure open, the design highlights the natural aesthetic of the timber while showcasing the technical execution of the long-span assembly.

A Living Example of Structural Transparency

The two-story facility serves as a benchmark for Type II-A construction in an educational setting. The decision to expose the CLT from below not only enhances the visual warmth of the gymnasium but also demonstrates the material’s inherent fire resistance and structural integrity. This open-plenum design allows students and faculty to see the “bones” of the building, where precision-fabricated timber meets industrial steel to create a high-volume, low-carbon environment.

Project Highlights

Hybrid Structural Innovation: Successfully integrates Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) panels over a structural steel truss system to achieve the long spans required for a modern gymnasium.

Aesthetic Transparency: The open-ceiling concept utilizes exposed mass timber to create an inviting, natural atmosphere that remains structurally performant and code-compliant.

Technical Integration: SmartLam worked alongside Rutherford + Chekene and Solomon Cordwell Buenz to refine the interface between timber and steel, ensuring precision in both the kit of parts and the final assembly.

Scale and Precision: At nearly 100,000 square feet, the project demonstrates SmartLam’s ability to deliver large-scale, high-performance building systems with schedule reliability.

Project Team

Solomon Cordwell Buenz
Rutherford + Chekene
CW Driver
W.S. Klem Contractor
SmartLam