The new recreation center replaced an existing community center, aiming to significantly enhance visibility and usage within the community. This state-of-the-art facility was designed to meet the diverse needs of the neighborhood it serves, fostering a sense of unity and engagement.
Challenges
As a repurposed former theme restaurant (The Cambridge Inn), the existing community center did not serve the community well. This includes:
-
Lacking Amenities: The community center was the city’s smallest rec center. It primarily composed of individual, inwardly focused rooms and lacked amenities such as an indoor basketball court. This limited its appeal and functionality.
-
Inseparable Building: Creating a cohesive building with spaces requiring drastically different roof heights, we used an irregularly angled exterior skin to unify the building masses and screen rooftop equipment.
-
Restricted Site: While the new site is more publicly visible and accessible, its linear geometry coupled with several utility easements and a steep hillside paralleling the road dictated a linear building. Meanwhile, its location and site circulation results in a building that is highly visible on all sides with no back.
Design Approach
Through engagement and collaboration with community members and Recreation Commission staff, the community’s needs and desires were identified and integrated. The feedback influenced the design of the new center. This inclusive approach ensured that the facility serves as a vibrant hub for all residents, promoting social interaction and an active lifestyle.
Outcomes
The recreation center boasts a variety of modern amenities, including:
-
Indoor Gymnasium: Equipped with courts for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball, catering to a wide range of sports enthusiasts.
-
Multi-Purpose Rooms: Spaces are available for community use, ideal for meetings, workshops, and other events.
-
Senior Room: A room primarily programmed for seniors includes access to a serving kitchen.
-
Camps and After-School Programs: The building was designed to meet building codes to accommodate children’s summer day camps and after school care.
-
Access to Existing Site Features: The layout and orientation of the building creates a shared setting for the playground, aquatics center and the new rec center.
Conclusion
Our goal was to create a recreation center that not only meets current demands but to present flexibility for future programming, activities, and events. By providing a welcoming and well-equipped space, we aimed to bring people together, fostering a stronger, more connected community. This project underscores our commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all residents and creating a lasting positive impact on the neighborhood.