UWM Women’s Soccer Locker Room

Client: UWM Women’s Soccer Team

Location: Englemann Hall, UWM Campus, Milwaukee, WI

Community Design Solutions (CDS) worked with the UWM Women’s Soccer team to revitalize their existing locker room located in Englemann Hall. The team was interested in upgrading the lockers and taking advantage of the social opportunities offered by the locker room.

In the current locker room there exists underutilized space. Regions of the room are used to store unnecessary items and the three private showers are unused. The current configuration of lockers does not maximize the full function of the room.CDS staff first looked at developing an altered layout for lockers that increases the square footage of the changing area and incorporates more modern, multi-functional lockers. The proposed lockers include a variety of locked and open storage areas, USB ports for phone charging, enough room to sit in, and are made of natural hardwood. With the expanded square footage, the changing area can now easily accommodate new seating oriented towards the media wall.

After laying out the changing area, CDS looked into transforming underutilized areas of the locker room into amenities that the team could use in their down time between classes and practice. A kitchenette fills the nook adjacent to the restrooms. Two options are proposed for a study and lounge space for the players. In the first option, the lounge replaces an enclosed, private shower room. The second option demolishes the walls of the two private showers in the north west corner of the locker room, creating a larger lounge area.

Further investigation of the space revealed the existing drop ceiling, set at a height of 8 feet, has an additional two feet of ceiling space above. UWM Facilities should assess the space above the plenum, as its removal could greatly expand the look and feel of the locker room. Two existing punched windows could create an opportunity to bring in natural light. Additionally, an underutilized utility closet could be relocated and its walls removed to open up the locker room’s main entrance.

CDS developed the scheme by adding a media wall with white boards and flat screen television, floor finishes such as carpet tiles and polished concrete, wall treatments that include new paint colors and graphics elements, and a diversity of lighting. Panther graphics celebrate the UWM identity and the success of the Women’s Soccer program.

PDF: UWM Women’s Soccer Locker Room