Martial Arts Facility

Martial Arts Facility

By: Kyle Miller

Architectural Program- Design a Martial Arts Facility focused on the behavior of children with ADHD

Introduction and Overview:

The Martial Arts Facility, located in Charlotte, North Carolina . The new Martial Arts Facility is to be built on the available 1.6 acre site in the urban downtown Charlotte. The facility will focus on utilizing martial arts as a way of discipline for students with disabilities, particularly, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). According to the National Survey of Children’s Health (2007), North Carolina has the highest percentage (15.6%) of children between the ages of 4-17 diagnosed with ADHD. This statistic reveals that North Carolina is need of a facility that will tend to the needs of children diagnosed with ADHD.

This project will concentrate on children that do not work well in a traditional classroom setting. These students need a more focused type of learning which includes discipline, structure, order, and routine. Martial arts will be the tool to help teach the students the skills to everyday life. This practice not only teaches the children how to be disciplined in martial arts, but it provides a solid foundation for the children to apply to other learning experiences.

The new Martial Arts Facility will provide the following benefits to the members:

-       A place to exercise the mind, body, and sprit

-       Develop the skills of martial arts, including strength, dexterity and motor skills

-       Learn the history and philosophy of martial arts

-       Develop a structured schedule that can be incorporated into their daily routines.

-       Learn the values of honor, integrity, and respect

-       Connect with other individuals that experience similar struggles

-       Learn self-discipline, self-defense, and confidence.

-       Be surrounded by an environment that is clear of clutter and chaos

The project will include one studio with visitor seating, two private studios, two classrooms, a main lobby, instructor offices, equipment and janitorial storage, and two locker rooms (men and women).

Architecture Program Descriptions:

[Studio]

The studio space within the martial arts facility will be a place for the students to practice their skills. The studio will be 1,500 square feet. The studio space should be directly connected to the main lobby, but should have doors for closure. This space will have floor mats for protection of falls during practice. Each mat should have placement dots to instruct each student where to stand during class. The material on the floor under the mats should be either carpet or wood. One wall will be comprised of mirrors for target vision and practice. Another wall should be dedicated to the martial arts flags (association flag, Korean flag, and American flag) and the picture of the Chief Instructor and the Grand Master. Along the sides of the mats there should be enough space designed for visitor seating for observation. A space of 50 square feet should be allowed for the visitor seating (about 10 seats). There should also be enough room outside the mats to allow for temporary storage of equipment during class time use. The lighting in the studio space should consist of only recessed lighting to prevent from any obstruction of practice. Windows should be located only on the sides of the studio to prevent obstructions during practice and for promotion of the association as a window front. The studio should be well lit for practice, but be able to be dimmed for performances. The ceiling should also have supports for punching bags to be clipped onto. 

[Private Studios]

A private studio will be similar to the main studio area, but smaller. This will allow for individual teaching, instructor on student. The mat area in the private studio will be a 150 square feet area. Floors under the mat area should be a carpet or wood. A table and chairs will be need alongside the mat area for discussion of students’ progress and performance. The walls will consist of a small built-in storage area for equipment and mirrors for teaching.

[Classrooms]

The classrooms will be 600 square feet. Each room will be comprised of desks and chairs all facing the front of the classroom. The front of the classroom will have smartboards for teaching. Each classroom should have windows for natural day lighting along with recessed ceiling lighting. The ceiling also should have a projector to utilize media for teaching. The floors in the classrooms should be wood or tile.

[Lobby]

The main lobby will be used to greet members and visitors. This area is essential for the organization of the association. The lobby should be 300 square feet. A desk with a computer will be needed for a receptionist to sit behind to register new students, attendance of students, a record of members, advertising of association through website, etc. A direct phone line will be needed at the desk for incoming and outgoing calls. A printer will also be needed at the desk for paperwork of incoming and existing members. A cash register will also be needed at the desk for the purchase of merchandise. Behind the desk there should be an area designed for the storage of merchandise for the students to purchase. This storage and display area for the merchandise will be 50 square feet. The lobby should also have a waiting space with a seating area. The waiting space will be 50-100 square feet. Mailboxes should be designed into the desk area for the student’s weekly information.

[Storage]

There should be two types of storage areas in the martial arts studio.

1.    Janitorial Storage: The janitorial storage should be 50 square meters. The space should include a mop sink for the use of filling up cleaning buckets. Shelving should be provided alongside the walls for the storage of chemicals and cleaning supplies. There also should be enough additional space on the floor for the storage of larger cleaning equipment such as mops and buckets.

2.    Equipment Storage: The equipment storage should be for uniforms, sparing gear, blockers, targets, weapons, punching bags, belts, shields, student’s personal items, etc. The storage should be built-in and have various organizational patterns for the different types of equipment. Some organization patterns include drawers, shelving, and closet hanging.

[Offices]

The offices should be dedicated to the instructors. Each office should be 100 square feet. A desk, chair, and computer should be included in all office spaces. Phone and internet usage should be available in each office space. Storage should also be designed for their personal items and equipment. Windows should be located in all office spaces allowing for natural lighting. Above ceiling and desk lighting should be designed into each office space. The flooring in the office spaces will consist of carpet.

[Locker Rooms]

There should be a locker room dedicated to men and women. Each individual locker room will be 500 square feet. The locker rooms should have access to bathrooms and sinks with mirrors. Lockers will be located along all walls in the locker room with bench seating in between the rows of lockers. A first aid kit should be located in each locker room. Showers will be directly linked to the locker rooms for member use after practice. A place for clean and dry towels should be provided near showers. A closed off area should be dedicated to a laundry room for the cleaning of towels.