Gymnastics Practice Facility
WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS
We revitalized the Western Michigan Gymnastics practice facility with a refreshed identity that mirrors the team’s energy, pride, and culture. Every design decision was made to inspire confidence and belonging — transforming a dated space into a vibrant environment where athletes train, grow, and celebrate what it means to compete as a Bronco.
As part of a multi-year initiative to elevate the visual identity across all Western Michigan athletic facilities, the gymnastics program’s practice space was due for transformation. The existing environment lacked cohesion and inspiration — dated finishes and disjointed visuals failed to represent the caliber of the team or its culture. Working within a defined refresh budget, our role was to lead the aesthetic direction and create an environment that matched the team’s excellence.
Before
After
Beyond simple upgrades, the goal was to create a space that embodied pride, competitiveness, and a sense of belonging. The design needed to speak to recruits, athletes, and staff alike — a visual celebration of the team’s culture and success. At its core, the project aimed to honor women’s athletics, aligning with the broader Broncos brand system while giving gymnastics an identity uniquely its own.
Working closely with the coaching staff and athletic facilities, we identified key messages and visual priorities that would define the space. The collaboration helped us balance storytelling with function — using every wall and surface to communicate values without overwhelming the space. The facility’s unique structure, including concrete block and glass block walls, demanded creative problem-solving to ensure graphics felt integrated, intentional, and seamless. Drawing from our foundational design framework across Western Michigan projects, we delivered a space that felt consistent yet distinctive.
The design captures motion, energy, and grace — hallmarks of gymnastics — through bold color floods, dynamic photography, and flourishes of powder and texture. Past athletes are honored not by name, but through values that define the program, creating a timeless, evergreen design. The feature wall inside the practice area serves as the visual centerpiece, balancing the raw architectural materials with brand-driven storytelling. Every detail was value-engineered to maximize impact, proving that strong design, not cost, creates presence.
The result is a training environment that radiates pride and purpose. Athletes and coaches now have a space that feels worthy of their commitment — a place that fuels energy, reinforces identity, and strengthens connection to the larger Western Michigan brand. The response from athletes, staff, and recruits has been overwhelmingly positive, with the program continuing to lead as one of the MAC’s top contenders year after year.
