This boathouse features an angular “prow” cast in UCO’s school colors, gold and blue.
- UCO WOMEN’S ROWING + LIVE MUSIC VENUE + ART GALLERY
Completed: April 2015 Size: 18,000 SF, 2 Floors
“For this boathouse, we had begun to imagine, what more could it be?”
– Architect Rand Elliott
UCO’s collegiate colors are gold and blue, so gold LED lights distinguish the “prow” of this latest aerodynamic boathouse. (Elliott’s sleek, rowing-inspired boathouse concept arrived in 2006 with the Chesapeake Boathouse.)
The University of Central Oklahoma’s jewel box of a boathouse brought is another aerodynamic “vessel” to the riverfront’s architectural “regatta.” As home to the UCO women’s rowing team, this boathouse adds to the Oklahoma City riverfront roster of community-minded universities with rowing programs.
Panoramic river view reflected in a polished concrete floor
Golden “notes” of sunlight through glowing windows
So, with exceptional spaces for the sport (storing rowing shells, accommodating team fitness training) came a dazzling performance space with soaring, wraparound river views. The highly polished concrete floor mirrors the sky and creates illusion of floating in the water.
In fact, it feels like you’re in the prow of a boat, navigating the river.
“If this stunning white object on the bank of the Oklahoma River resembles public artwork, that’s no coincidence. Anyone familiar with Interior Design Hall of Fame member Rand Elliott knows that art is always part of his intention.”
– Interior Design magazine Deputy Editor Edie Cohen, April 2016
KEEPING IT SLEEK
Like free-standing sculpture, Rand Elliott Architects’ UCO Boathouse exterior has no “front” or “back” but rather, a 360-degree exposure. Which required carefully concealing vital mechanical equipment. (Otherwise, visitors would be greeted by a cluster of condensers and pipes.)Here, the view of the building on the approach is pristine, from any direction.
ARTISTIC NOTES
The roof of the sculptural architectural form includes a scattering of windows that represent musical notes. Inside, they cast splashes of golden “notes.”
At the north entrance, an artistic display of piano wire makes a subtle reference to music. Nearly 400 stainless-steel wires are strung tightly, floor to ceiling, to create a remarkably water-like effect. Some see guitar or cello strings, but it creates a dynamic, moiré effect.
At the north entrance, artistic allusions to music make subtle gestures. At the reception desk, a shimmering is created with nearly 400 stainless steel cables strung tightly, floor to ceiling. The reference to stringed instruments — piano wire or guitar, violin or cello strings — create a dynamic, moiré effect. It’s an extension of the architectural idea, a riff on creative inspiration plucked from the fresh commingling rowing and music.
North entrance sunlight, steel and shadows suggest a musical staff.
At the reception desk, some 400 cables suggest a piano, or stringed musical instruments.
Work along the Art Gallery walls engages UCO’s art department and visitors.
With its spectacular view as backdrop, the stage is elevated and removable. Fine-tuned acoustics add a vital component to this a one-of-a-kind setting, with an adjacent dressing room/media space adding functionality.
Storage for UCO racing shells is immersed in a golden glow.
A wide, eye-level Art Gallery window offers views to boats stored on racks.
The second floor accommodates a spacious, sunlit training room and office space.
OPENING NIGHT KUDOS
Christening this new boathouse was an Opening Night dinner and concert by the Midtown Men of Broadway fame. A story based on the life of Frankie Vallee, reuniting stars from the original cast of Jersey Boys, it was a tour de force performance and an effusive victory for the new venue.
The evening was reported as being “joyous and nostalgic” introducing another dimension of OKC’s river renaissance.
Christening this new boathouse was an Opening Night dinner and concert by the Midtown Men of Broadway fame. A story based on the life of Frankie Vallee, reuniting stars from the original cast of Jersey Boys, it was a tour de force performance and an effusive victory for the new venue.
With UCO’s entry on the Oklahoma River, another boathouse joined the “race,”, its “prow” breaking the water’s edge aligned with other racing shells. Add UCO’s significance as a U.S. Paralympic Training site since 2009, and it seems to hint of Olympic rings to come.
RECOGNITION:
Featured in:
LIGHTING Illumination in Architecture (UK) Jan 2017 p 20-43 “Rhyme & Reason” 24-page Feature story with 11 projects, including CHK UCO Boathouse light pools
Chicago Athenaeum “American Architecture Award” 2015
Interior Design International “Best of Year” Award 2015
AIA Oklahoma Honor Award, Commercial Architecture 2015
