West Hollywood Park is a treasured part of this very dense, walkable city of 35,000 people. The Aquatic and Recreation Center (ARC) is a cultural and recreational hub of the community, a popular gathering space located along two central Boulevards in the city, the new ARC reflects identity, diversity, and interests of the unique West Hollywood community, in many ways. The 138,000-square-foot facility, which achieved LEED Gold, serves as a new art and cultural icon for the city. The design also creates much needed open space for a landlocked city where every square foot of green space is precious.
The most dramatic feature of the ARC, the grand stairway, leads the public 65 feet in the air, creating a symbolic connection between the building and the community. Landscaped stadium seating along the stair provides an elevated vantage point for viewing performances in the park or hanging out with friends. As visitors climb the stairs, they reach the green roof and the respite deck, an outdoor lounging area that looks out over the park. Just a few steps higher and guests enter the rooftop aquatic center, which features two swimming pools, as well as a yoga deck and space for events with spectacular views of the iconic Hollywood sign and surrounding city. Directly below the pools, a 17,000-square-foot multi-sport court accommodates a wide range of recreational activities, including basketball, volleyball and dodgeball. The building structure spans across an existing road to connect the recreation and community spaces together and connecting the project to the city park. The stacked building program creates a minimal building footprint to provide as much open park space for the residents as possible. All non-athletic ground covering adheres to the overall sustainable narrative including a robust California native and drought tolerant pallet which encourage specific bird and insect populations to thrive.The design creates a connection and represents the varied demographics throughout the community. Athletes, children, seniors, artists and families can all find their place within the facility as well as the park. This project connects community members to one another, and an onsite public-access TV station connects the facility to the world. Ultimately, the ARC creates a new community resource, connecting health and wellness to the center of the city. The design team worked hard to accommodate the diverse population equally and give everyone a place they could call their own. |