Ryerson RAC Grand Building

I have been going to Ryerson Recreation & Athletic Center (RAC) to exercise for two years now. It hit my realization that RAC is comparable to a temple - a sacred sanctuary for students to perform physical rituals or activities inside the space to achieve self-actualization in the form of health and physical appearance. It is the place for students seeking to replenish their body and mind from the stress accumulated from school work.

Situated in an old building from the 1800s, RAC is built under two basements which featured various activities such as basketball, weight-lifting room, running track to mention a few. It also has a multi-purpose room where classrooms are held. 

Entrance Stairs to the Lobby

As I walk through the entrance, the long and steep stairs to the lobby symbolizes a long and proud tradition in physical fitness. Going down to the stairs to the entrance, visual posters related to the RAC in the form of propaganda are propagated on the walls to promote their own agendas. Some agendas vary from time to time, in this case becoming student mentors and joining sports competition. Glass window panes at several key spots are used to channel natural light source to invigorate students creating the similar effect of soft beam of light directed at a person in sacred places. The colour blue is enforced to the grey colour of cement creating a contrasting brand element within the building.

The Lobby

As I reached the lobby, it is where all manners of things are reported as it is where the main office is. Enclosed behind a physical barrier, authorities are structured to protect and behold power to the staff members behind the counter, as well as for surveillance purposes. Objects such as the queue lines are used to control crowd locate themselves at the key areas in front of the counter and between the entrance and exit doors. Students enter the space inside the gym requires electronic identification that is monitored by the staff behind the counter. It was intentionally made to assert control and maintain flow. Regardless, it has always makes me feel like an automaton.

Overview of the Grand Hallway

Upon entering the chamber, more visual posters addressing different needs are posted at key areas of the space, such as across the entrance. As I walk further, I see the overall view of the main hall with giant ad banners encompassing most air space. The giant space creates a feeling that humans are small in comparison to the size of the sacred sanctuary. This effect is comparable when I was inside a cathedral, with the exception that the basic building material is cement which creates a dull looking environment. Walking along further, I see achievement plaques showcasing RAC’s track record of winning. This is located at the center of the chamber to flaunt and inspire students to continue with the winning tradition.

Men’s Locker Room

As I enter the men’s locker room, monotonous alignment of lockers is integrated to display visual consistency and organization of strict space where this is the area with the most students concentration. Hence, scourging for private space is always an ongoing battle.

Unisex Weight Room

Going outside to the weight-room, it is one of the main sanctuaries for male and female students where ritual practices in the form of weight lifting occur. As time goes by in the gym, it is natural to feel exhausted from the physical exertion from performing rituals (weight lifting), and I’ve always looked for a source of refreshment, but there is none in the space mainly due to the colour of the grey cement in an enclosed space. Dull visual tends to oppress your mind from refreshment.

Unisex Swimming Pool

The swimming pool creates a similar effect as the holy water area in cathedral, purifying students in their activities.

Glass Ceiling

These are the critical elements that make up the representation of RAC as a sacred sanctuary as I experience it in my daily journey. The proud winning tradition is embedded in the architecture and colour of the building. However, when the levels of activities performed inside are of high levels, spatial improvements need to happen in terms of creating an invigorating environment to create an ultimate student sanctuary.