Design Guide: Recreation Centers Design Considerations January 1976
CHAPTER 3
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
3-1 DESIGN OBJECTIVES
in accordance with the approved General Site
Plan and applicable portions of DOD Manual
All design aspects should be studied with
4270.1-M, TM 5-822-2 and 3, TM 5-830-1 and
respect to economics, functional requirements,
the completed Project Development Brochure
and local conditions, but particular emphasis
for the individual project. Site analysis will
should be placed on architectural design,
provide the bases for decisions about building
especially the interior and exterior attractive-
orientation, building configuration, and land-
ness of the facility. Measures taken to meet
scape design.
design objectives should be documented in the
Design Analysis prepared in accordance with
a. SITE ANALYSIS. A thorough examination
ER 1110-345-700.
of site conditions is required for concept and
final design development and should include
a. DESIGN QUALITY. Excellence of architec-
the following types of information:
ture is the primary design objective, for the
Recreation Center's atmosphere will determine
(1) Climate data: temperature, precipita-
its usefulness as a place for relaxation. The
tion, prevailing winds, humidity, solar orienta-
design should be informal, open, contemporary,
tion and micro-climatic factors of the site
and comfortable; it should promote sponta-
which modify climate patterns such as the
neous social interaction, permit a number of
effect of topography and structure on wind
activities to take place simultaneously, and
patterns.
express the nature of the activities taking place.
(2) Topographic information: c o n t o u r s ,
b. FUNCTION. The second design objective is
water table, drainage channels, natural features.
to provide a functional facility that meets the
requirements of the installation's Recreation
(3) Soil data: underlying and visible geolog-
Center program. The design should be flexible
ical features, soil analyses.
to accommodate changes in recreation pro-
grams, activities, and the community's attitudes
(4) Ecological description: type, location,
about recreation needs.
and condition of trees and vegetation, cover,
local ecological factors such as polIution
c. ECONOMY. The third objective is to
sources,
provide an effective facility at the most
economical cost and least adverse environmen-
(5) Man-made features of surrounding area:
tal impact, To do so, the design must be
location, size and scale of buildings, utility
determined by studies that use cost, values, and
lines, road patterns, pedestrian paths.
functional and social benefits to analyze
engineering, economic and environmental deci-
(6) Visual and aesthetic factors: views,
sions. These studies should also investigate the
outstanding natural features, sounds, and
use of local skills, stock products, and new
movement.
materials and techniques to reduce costs.
b. BUILDING ORIENTATION. Based on the
Life-cycle cost analyses should appraise initial
site analysis and master plan, the building must
costs, operating and maintenance expenses, and
be oriented on the site to conserve energy,
replacement costs over the life span of the
protect the environment, capitalize on natural
Recreation Center.
beauty, function with street patterns, move-
3 - 2 DESIGNING THE SITE
ment systems, surrounding buildings, and be
Site planning and design must be accomplished
aesthetically pleasing.
3-1
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