As student-athlete needs continue to evolve, St. Bonaventure University (SBU) recognized an opportunity to rethink its basketball locker rooms as more than transitional spaces. The goal was to create an environment that supports performance, recovery and connection – one that athletes could rely on throughout the day, not just before and after competition.
Client
St. Bonaventure University
Location
St. Bonaventure, New York
Key Contact
Mike Mistriner
Photographer
Tim Wilkes Photography
Completed
2025
Services
Architecture, Interior Design, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering
The comprehensive renovation was a full demolition and rebuild, reorganizing the program into four integrated components: locker rooms, restrooms and showers, a player lounge and a supporting kitchen. While the overall footprint remained fixed, our Higher Education Practice team strategically shifted square footage, expanding the lounge by roughly 15-20%. This move reflects how athletes actually use the space, transforming it into a true hub between classes, practices and games.
At the core of the project, the player lounge functions as both a social and recovery space. A mix of seating options, from couches and bar-height counters to a massage chair, enables everything from quiet rest to team interaction.
Natural wood finishes soften the environment, while durable materials throughout ensure the space can withstand constant use. Double doors connect directly to the arena corridor just steps away, reinforcing the lounge’s role as a pre-game hype zone and post-game decompression space.
The locker rooms themselves balance warmth and performance with custom wood finishes, integrated LED lighting and personalized graphics featuring athlete nameplates. Branding is woven into nearly every detail, from large-scale wall graphics to custom locker hardware shaped with SBU iconography. Behind the scenes, an advanced HVAC system pulls return air directly through the lockers to manage moisture and odors, purifying and recirculating air for improved comfort and durability.
Developed in close collaboration with the University’s athletics and facilities teams, the project reflects a shared commitment to athlete experience. The result is a cohesive, high-impact environment; one that strengthens team identity, supports wellness and elevates the everyday experience of SBU basketball from the inside out.
