Abagale Sowerby
asowerby@ltu.edu Website LinkedInAbagale Sowerby, a senior at Lawrence Technological University, is set to earn her Bachelor of Science in Architecture in the spring of 2024 and her Master of Architecture in the spring of 2025. Throughout her studies, her core values and beliefs are aimed toward sustainable architecture through the built environment, stormwater management, and green infrastructure that will create a cleaner and safer community.
TITLE
The Sault Ste. Marie Sports Center
MajorArchitecture [BS]
DescriptionThe Sault. Ste Marie Sports Center is located at the Northwest edge of Ashmun Bay, encapsulating the natural environment throughout the building. This project follows the Living Building Challenges' four pedals of Site, Material, Health, and Energy, with each petal guiding the design. In terms of site, the building consists of multiple points of engagement within the built environment, such as a game court, tree canopy, and vegetable garden that provides education and healthy produce growth for the public. In particular to the building, the sports hall is constructed from biophilic materials such as onsite lumber for the mass timber portal frames, V bracing, columns, and CLT paneling for the roof, flooring, and envelope. All materials are within a 500-mile radius of Ashmun Bay, meeting the LBC's sustainability and distribution of construction material guidelines. As for the health petal, the project includes multiple points of engagement with nature, including two courtyards to allow visitors fresh air, natural daylight, relaxation, and an assortment of physical activities. For the project's performance, this building includes a thin film flexible PV array that produces over 1 million KW of energy yearly, as well as a geothermal heating and cooling system.