Illustrative Designs
(2) Organizational Principles. Key organizational
(d) Visual Openness. Only one part of the facility is
principles reflected in the design are valid for all the
enclosed, the mechanical/maintenance/toilet/storage
CAC's for remote sites and small populations:
block. All the rest is visually open and accessible, either
as continuous open space or with maximum glazing for
(a) Modular Design. The facility is designed on a
views where acoustic separation is required. Ramped
standard five-foot modular grid, which allows for con-
level changes provide overlooks to enhance this visibility,
struction either by indigenous methods or by a metal
as between the lounge/snack area and the games and
building system. The modular design also permits easy
exercise spaces (see figure 6 - 45). These connections
removal of part of a basic plan at the time of site adapta-
are important for attraction and ease of movement
tion, and easy addition of other modular components for
between activities, and for combined functioning of
different or additional functions.
spaces for events like unit parties.
(b) The Heart. The heart of the CAC is the lounge
(e) Control. The central control desk, at the main
(see figure 6 - 45). It is central to the facility, very near
entrance, permits supervision of the entire CAC by one
and immediately accessible from the main entrance. It
staff person. The open design of the center allows this
represents the easiest introduction to activities for new-
position to overlook the entrance, games room, lounge,
comers - casual. unprogrammed, drop-in recreation. The
snack area, reading room, exercise/multipurpose space,
lounge is next to and overlaps with the snack space. It
and the entrance to the crafts areas and music practice
overlooks the games area and exercise/multipurpose
rooms.
room, and has a view toward the more specialized quiet
(f) Access Outdoors. The snack bar is placed in the
reading, crafts, and music practice spaces.
front of the building, opening out onto an eating terrace.
In this way, an activity with a diverse appeal is visible
separate sound zones:
from the outside and from the entry direction, and con-
nects the CAC to post life. The exercise room has direct
1) the sound isolated block, including quiet reading,
access to the outside, near the playing courts and swim-
crafts, and music practice spaces, each of which is iso-
ming pool.
lated from each other and from the rest of the facility;
2) the athletic area, including exercise/multipurpose gym
(g) Post Orientation. The Community Activity Center
and support spaces, separated by glazed walls from the
is sited in the center of the installation, reinforcing its
rest of the center; and 3) the open zone, including all
focal role in the community. It is next to the troop mess
the remaining spaces, entrance, lounge, snacks, games,
hall and post exchange, with easy access from all func-
which are a continuous open space for ease of interac-
tional areas. The main entrance of the CAC faces the
tion and exposure.
other post buildings directly, no one needs to go around
the building to get in.
DG 1110-3-142 Page 6-55
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