Metal design features create a sleek and inviting environment at The Huber Center, the new basketball practice facility at the north end of Vanderbilt University’s FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. This 3,062.5 m2 (32,965 sf) structure houses training areas, practice areas for men’s and women’s teams, coaches’ offices, and acts as a premium football seating area.
The project design and construction process included the architect Populous, general contractor Barton Mallow, and metal installer F.L. Crane & Sons, resulting in a functional and eye-catching structure. Metal panels and rainscreens contribute to the strong building envelope of this high-capacity training facility.
The building’s striking facade features black metal panels, installed in a cohesive pattern at a 45-degree angle. This pattern wraps around the structure, offering a sleek and prominent look from two perspectives: the football field-facing and outward-facing views. The bold black metal exterior design provides an ideal background for FirstBank Stadium’s football field, contrasting appealingly with the stark yellow of the goal post and the white sign bearing The Huber Center’s name. The structure’s exterior, which bears a scoreboard, is a focal point for game attendees.
Beyond functioning as a large-scale training facility, the structure has several sustainable functional features that reduce the building’s carbon footprint. The center’s rainwater collection system supports the reduction of water loss, while permeable pavers and bioretention ponds minimize water pollution.
With its stylish, distinctive appearance, sustainable design, and recreational offerings, The Huber Center fosters a modern-day thriving environment for Vanderbilt University’s basketball and football fans.