Matthew Kardosh
mkardosh@ltu.eduMatthew Kardosh, a senior at LTU, is set to graduate with his bachelor’s degree in architecture this upcoming May. His focus in architecture centers around studying the emotional outcomes within buildings and the subsequent aesthetic qualities they produce. He aims to produce designs that capture these qualities and enhance the experience of the user throughout the building.
TITLE 
Sault Ste. Marie Recreation Center
MajorArchitecture [BS]
DescriptionThe purpose for this project is to provide a place of recreational activities for the people of Sault Ste. Marie. The project also aims to support the beauty of Ashmun bay, and acts as the first thing people see once they enter the bay. The Building consists of an ice rink and basketball court at both ends of the building, along with a track which runs atop the center of the building. Also at the center lies numerous secondary activity spaces and support spaces, whereas the in the back exists mostly utility.
The strong divisions between these areas have caused the building to be clustered into 4 separate zones. Each zone has its own defined structural and HVAC system. The structural system is shared between the basketball court and ice rink as they use the same portal frame system. The central and back areas of the building use structural bays which are perpendicular in their span directions.
The envelope of the building uses vertical strips of wood for all of its opaque surfaces. This also wraps around the structural bays whereas the portal frame systems are slightly exposed and create higher definition to their spaces. Glazing wraps around nearly the entirety of the track, which then defines the placement of glazing below. Polycarbonate is also used is specific areas to limit the amount of direct sunlight which enters the building, such as the ice rink.