The Class of 1986 Fitness & Wellness Center at Princeton University transforms Dillon Gym, a collegiate Gothic campus landmark, into a contemporary recreation and wellness hub that expands recreational offerings and improves the overall experience for students and the broader campus community. Serving as a central destination for campus life, the facility strengthens Princeton’s evolving commitment to student wellbeing.
DIGSAU and MJMA Architecture & Design reimagined the fitness and wellness center as an integrated campus destination, carefully shaping the building, landscape, and circulation experience to strengthen connectivity, clarify movement across the site, and create new opportunities for wellness, gathering, and daily campus life.
A carefully scaled contemporary addition responds to the massing and material character of the historic structure while reinforcing its presence on campus. Working in support of this architectural vision, the lighting design establishes a consistent experience across a diverse range of program areas, from large open fitness zones to more intimate lounge and circulation spaces. Rather than drawing attention to individual fixtures, the lighting strategy emphasizes the effect of light itself, allowing the architecture and material palette to remain the focus.
Lighting plays an integral role in unifying new and existing spaces, reinforcing a clean and cohesive architectural expression while carefully integrating with the character of the existing collegiate gothic architecture.
Mass timber was used to create a sense of warmth and comfort while reinforcing the project’s sustainability goals and balancing the contrast between historic and contemporary architecture. The exposed timber structure and natural wood finishes define bright, inviting interiors, while perimeter glazing, skylights, and views of planted roofs and the surrounding landscape establish a strong connection to nature. Together, these elements promote physical fitness, mental well-being, and an enhanced sense of comfort.
A restrained palette of linear lighting, expressed through recessed slots, perimeter details, and precisely aligned runs, creates continuity throughout the building. This approach adapts to varying ceiling conditions while maintaining a unified rhythm, guiding movement and visually connecting the existing structure with new additions.
Linear fixtures run parallel to the ceiling structure, washing light across the mass timber to both illuminate the space and highlight the warmth of the material.
“A key design moment occurs within the mass timber zones, where a soft, ambient glow transforms the space into a ‘golden hour’ experience throughout the day,” says The Lighting Practice Associate Matthew Fracasinni.
By carefully integrating lighting into the architecture and eliminating visual clutter, the design maintains clean planes and uninterrupted sightlines, prioritizing material expression.
In the general fitness areas, lighting aligns with the structural grid, reinforcing the rhythm of floor-to-ceiling trusses and echoing the warmth of adjacent mass timber elements.
In the natatorium, lighting is fully integrated into the architecture, with no fixtures mounted above the pool. Instead, precisely aimed luminaires deliver illumination from concealed locations, maintaining visual clarity while meeting performance requirements. Custom solutions, including motorized systems for fixture maintenance, ensure long-term accessibility without compromising design intent.
Throughout the project, sustainability and maintainability were key drivers. Fixtures were selected and detailed in close coordination with the facilities team to ensure accessibility, consistency, and long-term performance.
“Every element was designed with durability and repairability in mind, supporting ongoing operations while maintaining a high level of design integrity,” says Matthew.
An outline lighting strategy traces the edges of the lounge space, reinforcing continuity as light flows along architectural surfaces to define form and guide perception of the room. Fixtures are fully recessed and remain out of view, maintaining the focus on the space itself.
A Gothic-inspired bronze screen introduces a modern layer of materiality while respecting the surrounding campus context. Carefully integrated lighting enhances the building’s transparency and visibility at night, creating a lantern-like effect that blurs the boundary between interior and exterior spaces while establishing a welcoming beacon on campus.
Ultimately, the lighting design improves both performance and user experience, creating a cohesive, high-functioning environment that unifies diverse spaces, supports wellness and activity, and strengthens the project’s architectural vision. Thoughtfully integrated throughout the building, the lighting balances visual comfort, maintainability, and architectural expression to create a lasting experience for the Princeton community. The result is a contemporary recreation and wellness facility that reflects the university’s evolving priorities for student life, health, and campus design.
