Daylighting Design Boosts Fitness Spaces at Record Use

Using UniQuad® polycarbonate wall systems to tie in school district colors, Purple hues and a unique design element help the new Cal Community Center shine Written by Neall Digert, Ph.D., MIES, vice president of Innovation and Market Development at Kingspan Light + Air

BACKGROUND:

Advancing its mission to cultivate a better community through a commitment to youth, healthy living and fostering social responsibility, the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids partnered with Caledonia Community Schools (CCS) to build and jointly operate a new, state-of-the-art recreation facility serving both students and community members in Caledonia, Michigan. With a location adjacent to the school district’s existing education complex, this 47,000-square-foot facility would house a wide range of amenities to promote fitness and community engagement for all ages, including a fitness and wellness area, kids’ zone, basketball court, indoor track, as well as a splash pad and pool.

The school district and YMCA intended this facility to represent a vibrant community hub for recreation, wellness and community connection, with special programs for students, families and seniors to engage in healthy activities together and make lasting memories.

Challenge:

Create an inviting, comfortable and visually safe environment. To design a space conducive for play and exercise, the project team knew the facility’s interior must deliver abundant access to beneficial natural light. This required evenly diffusing high-quality daylight throughout the facility—without introducing glare, excess heat or visual discomfort for guests engaging in high-energy activities. To conserve funds for this facility as a high-use community resource, the project further called for an energy efficient lighting solution.

Additionally, the facility design required an inventive, eye-catching aesthetic, intended to promote a playful environment and infuse visitors with community spirit. The exterior further necessitated the use of materials with the versatility to apply unique color options, in order to match with customized interior design choices. The project prioritized incorporating the school district’s signature purple color, which was integrated throughout indoor areas such as the indoor track and bathroom tile.

Image Courtesy of: Kingspan Light & Air

Solution:

To deliver an innovative, playful aesthetic, Stantec and C2AE Architecture created a cantilevered translucent form over the facility’s main entryway. This nature-inspired prism element, mimicking the refraction created when sunlight strikes water, provides an uplifting daylit environment for guests as the mix of glass and translucent glazing showcases the recreational activities occurring inside.

To maximize occupant comfort and energy conservation, the design team integrated 2,500 square feet of Kingspan Light + Air’s polycarbonate wall systems into the building envelope. These translucent wall assemblies distribute uniform, diffuse natural daylight into the facility while delivering exceptional thermal performance and limiting solar heat gain. The result is a bright, comfortable environment that supports rigorous exercise and community programs without visual discomfort or major temperature fluctuations. The design team also mixed in glass glazing in select areas to provide views to the outdoors for a connection to the environment. This abundance of high-quality daylight further reduces the facility’s dependence on electric lighting, lowering energy consumption to help meet the project’s sustainability goals.

The wall system also offers the unique flexibility to apply a wide range of standard and custom glazing colors. For this project, the design team selected a custom purple matte glazing and aluminum finish to align with the school district’s color palette, creating a cohesive visual identity both inside and out.

Image Courtesy of: Kingspan Light & Air

Results:

The Cal Community Center provides students and community members of all ages with an inviting space filled with natural daylight. The Center is a great place for the community to engage in a host of recreational fitness programs and activities. The facility’s diverse amenities, in close proximity to existing educational facilities, serve as a convenient and valuable community resource, with a visually appealing exterior that enhances the local area. The center’s abundance of natural daylight supports safety and comfort for rigorous activities, while creating a welcoming environment for social interaction.

In a Cal Schools Press release from February 28, 2025, Monique Brennan, CCS community education and outreach coordinator, stated that the Cal Community Center was “more than just a building—it’s a place for all ages to connect, learn and create lasting memories. For over 30 years, the Caledonia Resource Center has enriched our community, and this new space allows us to expand that mission, providing a true home away from home for seniors, families and students. Seeing this vision come to life is truly incredible.”