Universidad de Lima Recreation, Wellness, and Student Life Center by Sasaki

The Universidad de Lima Recreation, Wellness, and Student Life Center, designed by Sasaki, is a landmark project redefining student life on campus. Completed in 2022 as the first major development from Sasaki’s campus master plan, this six-story, 180,000-square-foot facility seamlessly integrates wellness, recreation, dining, and academic support into one dynamic hub for the university community.

A New Standard for Student Life in Lima

Located in Lima, Peru, the center was envisioned as a multipurpose building—a place where students, faculty, and staff can gather throughout the day to study, exercise, socialize, and recharge. With a steel-and-concrete structure, the building balances dedicated program areas with flexible, adaptable spaces, supporting both daily activities and large-scale events.

Holistic Wellness and Recreation Spaces

The center is designed to foster physical, mental, and social well-being. Key program features include:

• Student health services: nutrition, counseling, and physical therapy.
• Athletic training facilities: weight rooms, circuit training, and group exercise studios.
• Multipurpose gymnasium: designed for futsal, basketball, volleyball, and community events with capacity for 600 people.
• Outdoor and indoor jogging track: connecting rooftop terraces with expansive views of the Lima skyline.

Architecture that Connects and Inspires

Architecturally, the building is conceived as a Möbius strip, weaving together diverse wellness-oriented programs around a covered central plaza. This open space acts as the building’s heart, supporting circulation, passive ventilation, and informal gathering.

The plaza connects seamlessly with dining venues, retail areas, and lounges, while also leading to the campus forum, a subterranean assembly space. On the mezzanine, additional dining and meeting spaces overlook both the plaza and auditorium, reinforcing the building’s role as a vibrant social hub.

Student-Centered Flexibility

Every level is designed to adapt to student needs:

• Lower levels: dining, lounges, student affairs offices, and event spaces.
• Middle floors: fitness, training, and recreation programs.
• Upper levels: multipurpose sports courts and wellness suites connected to terraces, emphasizing the importance of community, movement, and outdoor connection.

By integrating health, leisure, and academic life, the center functions as a major engine of activity on campus.

Sustainable and Collaborative Design

The project incorporates sustainable strategies guided by SUMAC (Sustainability/LEED Consultant), with passive ventilation, natural daylighting, and energy-conscious systems enhancing the building’s performance. Key collaborators include:

• Lead Architects: Pablo Savid-Buteler, Antonio Furukawa
• Lighting Design: LPLED
• General Contractor: JE Construcciones Generales

Material contributions came from global manufacturers including EQUITONE, Armstrong, St. Gobain, Mondo, and Porcelanosa.

A Vibrant Future for Campus Life

With its innovative design, student-focused programs, and sustainable strategies, the Universidad de Lima Recreation, Wellness, and Student Life Center is more than a building—it is a cultural and social landmark for the campus, setting a new precedent for university architecture in Peru and Latin America.

All Photographs are works of Eleazar Cuadros