Dean E. Smith Center

Tucked into the rolling hills of Chapel Hill, the Dean E. Smith Center encompasses over 300,000 square feet, including the arena, locker rooms, a sports medicine department, strength conditioning center, practice basketball facilities and a newly completed basketball office suite (bottom center). The interior of the arena (left) is accented by a 13,000-sf fabric skylight which provides natural light, reducing the requirements for artificial lighting during daytime activities. The arena was designed specifically as the home of the UNC Men's Basketball program. One of the fastest and finest swimming facilities in the nation, the Koury Natatorium pool (below right) is located directly adjacent to the Smith Center. The gallery seats more than 1,700 fans.