Improving Upon...

Even though the building that is located on our site is lacking in many areas, programmatically it is successful.  The program of the current building is a children rec center.  Removing a place for children to go and play would cause negative effects, so the primary program of the building I will design will be a children/family rec center.  To accompany this more public oriented program, the buildings program will be loosely programmed vertically going from public to private.  Specifically, the main program aspects will be the public rec center, a private rec center (gym, workout rooms, etc.), and housing.  The housing will range from family to younger people (young couples, college student) housing.  Additionally, to accompany the main programs, cafes and lounges, and a few other commercial type places will be included.   

Currently, the building, and the site surrounding it, are dark and closed off, either to the street or the park.  In order to correct this, or improve the feel of the area, I will design the lower levels of the building to allow easy passage to and from the park and street.  Materiality will also play into the design to provide a lighter material then the current material of all stone.  

Looking from the park
The top is residential and the bottom is a mix of public and semi-public.