The City of Tempe has transformed and rejuvenated an existing Boys & Girls Club and gymnasium–part of this community for more than 20 years–into a dynamic new community center. The gymnasium was preserved and now functions as an internalized court: the center of activity. The remaining Boys & Girls Club facility, in disrepair, was demolished and the new programmatic uses were built in its place. The new uses embrace the existing gymnasium mass, softening its impact on its surroundings. Inside, a narrow perimeter skylight creates a "halo" of light where old meets new. The entrance, formerly hidden from view on the east of the building, was moved to the north side of the new center. The new entry serves as a "front porch" created by large, expressive overhangs of wood laminated beams and takes advantage of several 60' eucalyptus trees that were painstakingly preserved during construction. In addition, this entry court helps to diminish the visual impact of the gymnasium, serving as a transition to the more human scale of the surrounding residential neighborhood.
Studio Team Robert Briggs Douglas Brown Tom Brown Carlos Carrasquillo Holly Flint Corinna Fritsch Justin James John Kane Christopher Kelly Gregory Lambright Matthew Pridemore Joseph Salvatore Rebecca Saeva Victoria Snively
Project Team Owner: City of Tempe Structural: Brickey Design Associates Mechanical/Plumbing: Clark Engineers SW Electrical: Wright Engineering Civil: Kirkham Michael & Associates Landscape: Moore/Swick Partnership Kitchen: Cini-Little International Contractor: Sun Eagle Corporation
Awards 2003 Arizona Masonry Guild Silver Trowel Award 2002 Valley Forward Environmental Excellence Crescordia Award 2002 City of Tempe Beautification Award
