Duke University
Challenge
Accepted.
Duke Tennis sought an upgrade to Sheffield Tennis Center that celebrates its successful men’s and women’s tennis programs, athletes, and accolades.
It's amazing. It blows everything out of the water that we were hoping for. Duke did it the right way.
Excerpt from goduke.com article “Tennis Programs Receive First Look at Renovated Sheffield Indoor Tennis Center”
Ramsey Smith
Head Coach, Duke Men's Tennis
THE DETAILS
SNAPSHOT
Client: Duke University
Client: Duke Athletics
Architect: New City Design Group
Location: Durham, NC
EXPERTISE
Facility Brand Integration
Environmental Graphic Design
Athlete Experience
MARKET
Sports / Recreation
Sheffield Indoor Tennis Center, home to the Duke Blue Devils Men’s & Women’s Tennis Teams, was renovated and expanded to better accommodate its robust program, celebrate athletes, and highlight team accolades.
Experiential design firm ZEBRADOG was retained by Duke Athletics to create a cohesive branded facility with signature spaces that energize this talented team and delight new recruits.
Over the past year and a half, the tennis facility underwent significant renovations to its locker rooms, coaches’ offices, training room, and conference room. In addition, new amenities for student-athletes provide a comfortable place to relax, refuel, and meet as a team in the lounge and kitchen. All thoroughly branded with Honor Blue and all it stands for.
ZEBRADOG experience designers created unique features throughout the facility, including an illuminated Duke D surrounded by 1,200 Duke blue tennis balls that make an irresistible photo opp in the main lobby, a custom-designed conference table that doubles as a table tennis game in the Club 40 Love team lounge as well as an invitation to alumni to sign a white tennis ball displayed in a chain link fence reminiscent of the outdoor courts where athletes honed their skills.
“This was a vision we had a long time ago and to see it come to fruition is incredible. To see the athletes’ reactions was worth the wait,” said Jamie Ashworth, Head Coach, Duke Women’s Tennis.
#GoDuke #BlueDevils #WeAreDuke
Areas of Impact
Main Lobby
The main lobby immediately radiates Duke pride and achievement, setting the tone for the entire facility. A ‘by the numbers’ display, inspired by vintage tournament scoreboards, highlights the program’s most impressive accolades and milestones. At the heart of the space, 1,200 Duke Blue tennis balls surround an illuminated Duke D, creating a striking centerpiece and the perfect photo moment for visitors, fans, and future athletes.
Team Lounge
Club 40 Love is a vibrant team lounge for athletes to socialize, featuring soft drop-down spaces, nutritious snacks, and a custom-designed conference table that doubles as a table tennis game. As a striking centerpiece, 920 white and 240 blue tennis balls spell out DUKE. The exhibit invites alumni to sign a ball, celebrating Duke Tennis pride and inspire future athletes.
HUZZAH!
