Page 20 - 2011 SDCA Project

4-2 Recreation Center Focus Area An elevated deck space shall replace the existing exterior steps that have become
undermined by runoff. A new retaining wall will create a leveled space underneath the
Site Recommendations the building. Currently, the building’s main entrance is situated to the West, facing the irrigation. The deck itself will serve as an outdoor room, helping to increase the usable A B
deck where rain-harvesting cisterns could be located to collect roof runoff for landscape
The design approach to the Recreation Center focused on improving accessibility to
space created by the addition to the Recreation Center. From this vantage point, 22’
large, dead end parking bay adjacent to the gymnasium. The problem with this location
above the existing parking lot, users shall be able to take in the entire Adams Park site
is the 22’ difference in elevation between the existing parking lot and the finished floor
seeing all the way to the north end of the Pond in winter.
elevation (FFE) of the main entrance.
The existing ramp structure is excessively steep with slopes measuring upwards of 13%.
For reference, a normal ramp in a parking deck slopes at 10%. The maximum slope for Rain Harvesting Cistern Concept
an accessible route according to the ADA requirements is 1:12, or 8.33%. A quick study A. Rain falls on existing roof
at the beginning of the Charrette revealed that over 300 linear feet of ramp would be B. Gutter downspouts are redirected into Cisterns located underneath deck
necessary to allow an accessible route to reach the west entrance from this parking lot. C. Cisterns collect (harvest) rainfall to be utilized for landscape irrigation C

This quickly eliminated the idea of improving the existing western ramp, and shifted
the team’s focus on the East entrance where the existing street grade is nearly level with
the Recreation Center’s FFE. The team decided to eliminate the existing few parking
spaces located at the East entrance, and transform this space into the main entrance D
into the facility. The large width of the existing Logan Lane provided an untapped
opportunity for on-street parking. The space between the East entrance and Logan A
Lane was redesigned into a large plaza space to serve as a formal entrance sequence.
An oversized drop-off will allow for easy access to the front door of the recreation center.
Removable bollards separate the drop-off from the plaza, restricting vehicular access to
authorized service and deliveries as deemed necessary by the Recreation Center Staff. A Figure 4-3: West Entrance Plaza Enlargement
covered walkway connects the proposed handicap on-street parking spaces to the East
entrance. This walkway canopy presents an opportunity for either a green roof structure B
or solar panels. The majority of the East Entry Plaza has been designed as a crushed
aggregate which creates a pervious hardscape surface, reducing storm water runoff and
overall impervious surface. A long bay of bicycle racks strategically located by the front
door aim to encourage alternative transportation by providing priority access to the M
building.
C L
A crushed aggregate Fitness Trail begins at the East entrance. This path loops around
the south side of the Recreation Center and connects to the West entrance plaza.
Moving the accessible route to the east created an opportunity to completely redesign
the western approach. In order to address the steep grades, a single staircase has been I K
created connecting the lower parking lot to the West Entrance Plaza. The existing slope J
can now be re-graded to allow for a small, vegetated bioswale to be located at the foot
of the slope. This bioswale should have an overflow pipe that is connected directly
into the existing catch basin set in the parking lot. In addition, the slope shall be re-
vegetated with plant species having fibrous root systems such as native grasses to help Figure 4-2: Rain Harvesting Cistern Concept
stabilize the soil on the slope.

The West Entrance Plaza was designed in harmony with the Architecture / Interiors
group, as their new addition frames the southern edge of the plaza. The existing east-
west corridor that runs through the building spills out into this intimate plaza space.
Exterior paving and interior flooring materials should compliment each other to the
degree that users will feel that the exterior is merely and extension of the interior. The
repetition of the curves in the East and West Entrance Plaza help to tie the plazas to the Figure 4-4: East Entrance Plaza Enlargement
new building addition.
Red & Green Scene Volunteer Design Charrette 2010
Plans are conceptual and subject to change