Illustrative Designs
52,000 square feet in order to provide 2 ranges of MSA
and is accessible to the handicapped through short
activities such as physical fitness, social activities, music,
ramps. One wing of this continuous space overlooks
arts and crafts and library. A small child care center
and provides access to a deck and the outdoor
combining full-day, part-day and hourly day care spaces
50 - meter swimming pool and diving pool. The other
is also included. Table 6 - 5 provides a detailed func-
wing of the recreation area overlooks the gym through
tional space and square footage program.
large glass walls.
The gymnasium, half a level lower than the main lobby
(2) Design Solution. The design for this family center
and recreation spaces, doubles as a performance/
is based on the following concepts (see perspective, fig-
function space with a stage and dressing rooms at one
ure 6 - 14, and plans, figures 6 - 15 and 6 - 16):
end. Gym support spaces, as well as exercise rooms,
racquetball courts and athletics control desk, are half a
Maximize open space, visibility and accessibility. Spa-
level below this in the basement (see plan, figure 6 - 16,
tial definition is provided by low walls and small changes
and section, figure 6 - 18). These athletic support areas
in floor levels. Even closed volumes are designed to be
also open directly outside, serving the outdoor swimming
largely visible from the general-use spaces through
pool and sports fields.
glazed walls (see figure 5 - 10 for zoning diagram of this
center).
The music area provides four enclosed practice rooms, a
Avoid duplication by maximizing shared meet-
glazed listening room and three shared multipurpose
ing/class/rehearsal/lounge spaces, as in the Fort Hills
rehearsal/meeting rooms, with a small sitting-lounge
local troop center.
entry area. The crafts space occupies two levels, with a
two-story open connection between, and includes a sep-
Relate the inside activity spaces closely to the land-
arate control/office/supplies cluster, general crafts,
scaped areas outdoors. On one side, the library, music
ceramics, and woodworking. The woodworking area
practice and child care areas overlook the wooded area
abuts the stage of the gymnasium and doubles as a the-
beyond. On the other side, taking advantage of the slop-
atre performance workshop. The crafts area opens onto
ing site, the more active spaces such as the athletic,
an outside court for an extended work space.
snack bar and games spaces overlook an outdoor ter-
race, swimming pool and nearby playing fields. In this
Across from the main control desk is a small (1500
way, the area provides an attractive sense of open space
square foot) branch library for recreational reading and
for the family users (see perspective, figure 6 - 14, ele-
children's collections. The main library space is always
vation, figure 6 - 17, and section, figure 6 - 18).
open, continuous with the lobby and with a fireplace
Clearly define the site. Exterior site walls connect the
reading area. Another library reading and collections
main building volumes and focus approaching visitors
room is glazed but closeable. The library and the control
toward the entrance. They also protect the outside
desk, with its associated office and storage spaces, form
swimming pool and child care play spaces from the
two large volumes defining either side of the main
vehicular access area.
entrance.
The child-care center is designed as a separate structure
(3) Building Organization. Two major site walls
for independent identity and convenient drop-off (see fig-
define the entrance. The lobby, supervised from the
ure 6 - 15). It is connected to the main building by the
control desk, opens out immediately onto a continuous
site-defining walls. The 2,000 square-foot space accom-
space that includes circulation, lounge, snacks, and
modates full-day and part-day, as well as hourly pro-
games areas (figure 6 - 15). This open space abuts two
grams with separate spaces for the different ages -
sides of the gym, is subdivided by low walls and raised
infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers. A reception desk
platforms defining snack areas and table games areas,
and staff lounge/office area is at the core of the space,
but parents bringing children have direct access to each
individual room. Between the child-care center, the main
building and the protective site wall are outdoor play
spaces for each age group, accessible directly from the
classrooms.
DG 1110-3-142
Page 6 - 21
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