WNBA’s Liberty renovates locker room with women-led design and construction team

The New York Liberty completed the renovation of a new 6,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art locker room at Barclays Center in Brooklyn

A team of women from Generator Studios and Shawmut Design and Construction collaborated to renovate the locker room of the WNBA’s New York Liberty, which unveiled the 6,000-suare-foot, state-of-the-art space at the Barclays Center this month.

New lockers, a players’ lounge, new operating systems and an upgraded dated shower and bathroom layout highlight the renovation, which began in January 2021.

“A group of world-class athletes deserve a world-class space, and that is precisely what Shawmut and Generator Studios have created with this new locker room,” said New York Liberty CEO Keia Clarke. “The Liberty organization continues to be intentional about uplifting women in all facets of the company, and this renovation project is no different.”

The Liberty, founded in 1996, is one of three original WNBA franchises and has made the WNBA Finals four times in its 25-year history.

David Margolius, executive vice president of Shawmut Design and Construction’s New York Metro region, said the firm was proud to assemble a female-led design and construction team, which included hiring 100% Women- and Minority-Owned Business Enterprises as external subcontractors.

“Our commitment to operationalizing diversity, equity and inclusion in our business allowed us the capability to do this – not to mention the sheer talent of these team members,” Margolius said. “This is truly a project built by women, for women – and in an industry that’s less than 10% female, we’re especially proud of this.”

According to the team’s release, Humanscale, a leading designer and manufacturer of ergonomic products that transform offices and workspaces, partnered with the Liberty on the renovation and ensured the project champions health, wellness and movement with furnishings and spaces that are functional and well-designed.

“Humanscale and NY Liberty share similar values of excellence, wellness and inclusivity, making this partnership a perfect match,” said Humanscale CMO Leena Jain. “All of our products are designed to ensure everybody – and every body – is fully supported.”