palmer park community center AWS
PALMER PARK COMMUNITY CENTER LANDOVER, MARYLAND Category: Non-Residential
The Palmer Park Community Center, originally built in 1968 and added onto in 1986, is located in between a suburban shopping center and an established residential neighborhood. Over the years, the building required on-going maintenance and was no longer effectively serving the current spatial needs of the center’s programming. Through a study of the desired program and the site constraints, the new design for the center included renovation of a portion of the existing building and demolition of the remainder to make way for a new state-of-the-art facility and refreshed identity in the community. The existing gym was transformed into classrooms, a fitness center, and a computer training room. The addition included the lobby, administrative spaces, a collegiate-size gymnasium with an elevated running track, and a multi-purpose room [PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL BURK]
with a stage and dance studio. The entrances to the building are located in the middle of the building and lead directly into the centrallylocated lobby with a check-in desk. For access to all programmed spaces, one must pass through the lobby to maximize supervision, including an open stair to the second floor. The interior finishes were chosen to be robust and low-maintenance. Bright colors were incorporated into the design to create an exciting and engaging environment. The glazing in the gymnasium is translucent which allows a diffused light to fill the room without sun glare.
The existing brick building was designed to feel “secure” with few windows and a heavy concrete cornice that wrapped around the building. The cornice was removed and replaced with a contemporary metal panel cornice with a lighter touch. This metal band was used as a horizontal datum and repeated element throughout the new design. The new addition was designed with security as a priority, but with a goal of making the building feel open and light-filled. The new brick façade complements the existing building, but is lighter in color and incorporates high expanses of glass to bring in natural light deep into the building.
As the original building had been a fixture in the community for so long, the design team was sensitive to the neighborhood’s desire to maintain a level of familiarity with the original design.
Exterior lighting and landscaping contribute to the grand transformation of the site and the Palmer Park Community Center now stands as a proud gateway to the neighborhood.
EXTERIOR FACADE
EXTERIOR BEFORE RENOVATION
EXTERIOR BEFORE RENOVATION
EXTERIOR BEFORE RENOVATION
EXTERIOR AFTER RENOVATION
3
MAIN LOBBY AND CHECK-IN DESK
A
ENTRY
D
CLASSROOM
G
CONCESSIONS
B
LOBBY
E
REC ROOM
H
GYMNASIUM
C
ADMINISTRATION
F
FITNESS ROOM
I
MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM
EXISTING
J
ELEVATED RUNNING TRACK
NEW
I
J
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
EXISTING
NEW
A
D C D
B
E
H
C F
G
A
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
GYMNASIUM AND ELEVATED RUNNING TRACK
RENOVATED FITNESS ROOM
EXISTING GYM PRIOR TO RENOVATION
MULTI PURPOSE ROOM / DANCE STUDIO
The Palmer Park Community Center, originally built in 1968 and added onto in 1986, is located in between a suburban shopping center and an established residential neighborhood. Over the years, the building required on-going maintenance and was no longer effectively serving the current spatial needs of the center’s programming. Through a study of the desired program and the site constraints, the new design for the center included renovation of a portion of the existing building and demolition of the remainder to make way for a new state-of-the-art facility and refreshed identity in the community. The existing gym was transformed into classrooms, a fitness center, and a computer training room. The addition included the lobby, administrative spaces, a collegiate-size gymnasium with an elevated running track, and a multi-purpose room [PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL BURK]
with a stage and dance studio. The entrances to the building are located in the middle of the building and lead directly into the centrallylocated lobby with a check-in desk. For access to all programmed spaces, one must pass through the lobby to maximize supervision, including an open stair to the second floor. The interior finishes were chosen to be robust and low-maintenance. Bright colors were incorporated into the design to create an exciting and engaging environment. The glazing in the gymnasium is translucent which allows a diffused light to fill the room without sun glare.
The existing brick building was designed to feel “secure” with few windows and a heavy concrete cornice that wrapped around the building. The cornice was removed and replaced with a contemporary metal panel cornice with a lighter touch. This metal band was used as a horizontal datum and repeated element throughout the new design. The new addition was designed with security as a priority, but with a goal of making the building feel open and light-filled. The new brick façade complements the existing building, but is lighter in color and incorporates high expanses of glass to bring in natural light deep into the building.
As the original building had been a fixture in the community for so long, the design team was sensitive to the neighborhood’s desire to maintain a level of familiarity with the original design.
Exterior lighting and landscaping contribute to the grand transformation of the site and the Palmer Park Community Center now stands as a proud gateway to the neighborhood.
EXTERIOR FACADE
EXTERIOR BEFORE RENOVATION
EXTERIOR BEFORE RENOVATION
EXTERIOR BEFORE RENOVATION
EXTERIOR AFTER RENOVATION
3
MAIN LOBBY AND CHECK-IN DESK
A
ENTRY
D
CLASSROOM
G
CONCESSIONS
B
LOBBY
E
REC ROOM
H
GYMNASIUM
C
ADMINISTRATION
F
FITNESS ROOM
I
MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM
EXISTING
J
ELEVATED RUNNING TRACK
NEW
I
J
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
EXISTING
NEW
A
D C D
B
E
H
C F
G
A
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
GYMNASIUM AND ELEVATED RUNNING TRACK
RENOVATED FITNESS ROOM
EXISTING GYM PRIOR TO RENOVATION
MULTI PURPOSE ROOM / DANCE STUDIO
