University of Maryland, College Park

When Ritchie Coliseum opened in 1930, the seats were cast-in-place concrete bleachers with locker rooms and other program areas in odd configurations beneath. Before ASG was hired to provide renovations, it was assumed the bleachers could not be removed and functional improvements would be minimal.

After exploring several options, ASG created a design to replace the bleachers and excavate the interior space to create a basement. The result was an additional 5,000 gsf of program space as well as an NCAA regulation court, retractable fixed seating, and compliance with ADA specifications.

Despite a 12 percent increase in program area, the budget was increased only by 3.5 percent.

Completion: 1997
Size: 53,100 gsf
Cost: $6.9 million