University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Fertitta Football Complex
The UNLV Rebel’s have earned a training facility that embodies the grit, sweat, and teamwork they put into their organization. Championed by Coach Sanchez, who has orchestrated a new era for the team, the facility is under construction on the north end of their current practice area inside Rebel Park and will be a home where Rebels will train, study, eat, learn and grow as people.
The complex celebrates teamwork, focusing on the total wellness of student-athletes with a state-of-the-art ‘headquarters’ designed to prepare for success on the field, in the classroom, and in life. Features include an academic center, team dining hall with full kitchen, nutrition bar, sports medicine center, state-of-the-art hydrotherapy, team auditorium, position meeting rooms, team lounge, and barber shop, in addition to the 9,000 square foot weight-lifting area, modern locker room, and coaches offices with balconies overlooking the practice field.
While in the design phase, the UNLV football team went viral and was featured on ESPN for a phone video of a training session in their weight room which captured the entire team cheering on a player as he lifted. This comradery and energy inspired our interior design of the space, which attempts to capture, reflect and amplify the vibrancy, energy, and family-like bonds of the team, as evidenced in the soaring heights of the team’s new weight room and the rat-pack inspired team lounge.
Being close to the Vegas strip, the building interior pays homage to its local roots while melding with UNLV’s modern athletic aesthetic. Modified “Welcome to Las Vegas” signs, rich leathers, gold glass, and Elvis wallpaper combine with state-of-the-art facilities, clean lines, and expansive glass to achieve this union.
The building itself is designed around the existing practice field, and interior spaces are oriented to ensure this nexus of performance is always at the forefront. Every important space has soaring views of the field to celebrate why this building exists: to provide support to a team who lays it all out on that field every day.
Tony Sanchez, UNLV, Head Coach
