Project Data:

Completion Date:     8/16/2023

Square Footage:      52000

Building Use:           Recreation Center

Project Description:

A new, 52,200-square-foot recreation center in the City of Tracy, California, breathes new life into a neglected park and offers a flexible amenity for users across generations. Anchored by a net-zero energy building, the project blends indoor spaces and landscape seamlessly, uniting a dynamic program and creating a regional destination focused on health and well-being.

At the heart of the design lies inclusivity and the aim to serve the entire community. A thoughtful balance of active and passive programs adapts to different uses throughout the day and year, from morning activities for seniors to after-school programs for children. Diverse flexible program elements includes a three-court gymnasium, tech lounge, maker space, micro library and multi-purpose rooms branching out from a central courtyard entry pavilion with a bouldering wall. An elevated running/walking track winds its way through the building’s main spaces, creating a visually engaging and climate-controlled environment for seniors to stay active while escaping the heat. A comprehensive master plan reorganizes the park, diversifies its ecology with drought-tolerant plantings, and adds a host of amenities, including a skate park, dog park, walking trails and bike connectivity, fostering a sense of community and encouraging intergenerational interaction.

The net zero energy facility uses passive design strategies and out-of-building functions to significantly reduce energy consumption. Careful building orientation, vertical sunshades and perforated screens mitigate glare and heat gain, ensuring optimal comfort for users. The building generates all its power through an on-site photovoltaic (PV) array while the use of thermal mass and passive cooling techniques contribute to energy efficiency.

Framework for Design Excellence

This net zero energy all electric facility uses passive design strategies to significantly reduce energy consumption. Careful building orientation, PV shade canopies, vertical sunshades and perforated screens mitigate glare and heat gain, ensuring optimal comfort for users. The building generates all its power through an on-site photovoltaic (PV) array while the use of thermal mass and passive cooling techniques contribute to energy efficiency. The use of solar chimney’s on the south elevation of the gymnasium integrate with the building systems for passive and mechanical modes of ventilation.

Design for Integration - The project developed a strong set of guiding principles which were a holistic design approach which set the vision and concept design for this project.

Design for Equitable Communities - The project team engaged with several different community groups and stakeholders during the programming phase of the project to shape the overall vision and goals for the project along with defining the program for the park transformation and new recreation center. Project is designed for inclusive design which incorporates all ages, and modes of transportation from bikes, cars, bus, skate boards and pedestrians. The project includes a new bike lane through the site to connect two existing adjacent bike paths.

Design For EcoSystems - The existing park has a very limited ecosystem with a single species of tree and predominately lawn creating a monoculture. The new design creates a new ecosystem with a diversity of species which encourages habitat and pollinator gardens. Lighting was design to comply with dark sky standards

Design for Water - The site eliminates a substantial amount of lawn in the park and replaces the grass with adaptive and native planting which will reduce the irrigation requirements by a minimum of 35% and up to 50% based on the city operations. The building utilizes low flow fixture to reduce the use of potable water within the building.

Design for Economy - The building was able to right size its sf for the program and was designed to expand program to the outdoors with the enclosed courtyard and pv covered front porch and elevated fitness terrace deck on the second floor.

Design for Energy - The building is design as a zero net energy building with on site pv installations for its power generation. The PV systems were extended off the roof as a fifth facade to provide shade to the entry porch and courtyard for exterior program and to reduce our solar heat gain on these elevations. High performance VRF mechanical systems which are integrated with natural ventilation in the offices and gymnasium reduce energy use.

Design for Wellbeing - the building does include operable windows in regularly occupied spaces and has incorporated exterior shade elements to reduce solar heat gain.

Design for Resources - The approach was to expose the primary structure as much as possible to reduce the amount of materials on the project. The exterior walls are structural CMU which are exposed on the exterior façade and interior spaces.

Design for Change - the building includes a on site generator and battery backup to operate the facility even during power outages during extreme heat as a cooling center for the community.

Design for Discovery - throughout the site and building there will be educational signage which aligns with a STEM oriented priority for this building along with the maker space which will be utilized for hands on learning by doing within the recreation center.

Firm Name:              LPA

Completion Date:     8/16/2023

Square Footage:      52000

Building Use:           Recreation Center

Location:                 Tracy, CA

Design Architect:
Matthew Porreca

Associate Architect or Firm:
LPA

Landscape Architect:
Landscape Architect - LPA

Owner / Developer:
City of Tracy, CA

Engineer:
Structural - LPA
MEP - LPA
Civil - LPA
Lighting Design - LPA

General Contractor:
TBD - project will be bid in first quarter 2024

Consultant:

Photographer:
NA