Design Guide: Recreation Centers Case Studies January 1976
What are the programs we want to run in the
6 - 6 REMODELED SPACE
q
Center?
a. SITUATION. Since March of 1955, Recrea-
Can the existing building support these
q
tion Centers (formerly Service Clubs) were built
programs?
from standard designs. Reviewing the success of
these designs, several inherent strengths and
What is right with the existing building and
q
weaknesses are apparent. In response to the
should be retained in the remodeling?
changing demands placed on these facilities, a
What is wrong with the facility and should
q
remodeling program should be developed which
be changed?
would retain the good features and correct the
How will these changes affect the social and
q
problems of the standard designs.
recreational programming?
Inherent design strengths are the segregation of
How much money can be spent?
q
conflicting activities, a minimum of circulation
with independent access to all spaces, and
Will it be accomplished at one time or in a
q
maximum control of the Center from the desk.
series of small changes?
What are the Center's priorities?
q
Major weaknesses are the result of changing
recreational attitudes and needs, which require
Which problems have the most impact on
q
that spaces be adaptable to new programs and
the Center's social programming and should
activities as old programs are phased out. For
be corrected first?
instance, the original program for Service Clubs
From the answers to these questions a
was based on events such as "big band" dances
remodeling program can be developed which
in which a large crowd of dancers and a number
states the problems that must be solved and the
of musicians would use the auditorium space.
justification for funds to solve these problems.
Current recreational programs must accom-
To establish this program and justification for
modate a myriad of small group activities. New
funds, the issue reports should be developed by
programs such as ITT and special interest, and
the Center staff and patrons and organized
new activities such as coffeehouse and rap
according to their impact on the Center's
sessions have particular spatial needs which
operation. These issue reports should include:
were not originally considered in the standard
designs. In addition to programming problems,
(1) A Supported Statement of the Problem
certain technological and design deficiencies
to be Addressed, i.e., there is too much noise,
such as soundproofing and a negative institu-
no space for special interest, no ITT, etc.
tional appearance are also evident.
(2) A Statement of the Specific Attributes
Since not all Centers face the same problems
of the Context in which the Problem Exists,
and economic constraints vary, the planning of
i.e., concurrent activities create serious noise
any remodeling should be based on the local
problems in the current central program space;
Recreation Center programs, the needs of the
clubs are not forming and special interests are
patrons and staff, and the physical condition of
not being developed because there is no suitable
the Center facility. The intent of this case study
space for meeting; there are no on-post travel
is to show a series of modifications that can
and tour services available on the installation.
change an existing Center, incrementally
(3) Changes Required to Correct the Prob-
correcting some of the more common prob-
lem. A tentative statement of the solution to
lems. While these examples are taken from the
the problem to be further developed with
27,800 SF standard design, similar renovations
engineering assistance; i.e., partition part of the
can also be made to other size Centers.
ballroom to become a special interest room;
provide sound insulation, sound absorptive
b. REMODELING PROCEDURE. Analyze the
materials, and solid core wood doors in noisy
existing Center in terms of its capacity to house
areas; provide an ITT desk in the lobby taking
the desired programs. The following questions
advantage of excess utility space.
should be answered:
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