Boll Family YMCA
Detroit, MI
Year in Showcase: 2007
Project Description
Not your average YMCA,” in the
words of one judge, the Boll
Family YMCA is intended to
be a catalyst for the re-energizing of
Detroit’s downtown. Utilizing an architectural
expression that features a series
of “boxes” stacked upon one another and
held together by vertical seamed-metal
panels, the building boasts glass curtainwall
throughout to allow views of the
many activities. The wellness box is
stilted on narrow concrete columns above
the building’s entrance, while the natatorium
is placed a half-level below the
entrance and is clad with ground-faced
concrete block at street level.
The judging panel took note of the
interior’s interesting mix of materials
— metal panels, glass, brick and
ground-faced concrete block — which,
along with a variety of colors, are used
to distinguish various programming
spaces. From the lobby, a number of
areas on multiple levels can be seen,
including the black-box theater behind
lighted glass, a climbing wall, the
members’ lounge, and a café and
reception desk.
Judges' Comments
The three-story solution is unique for this
type of building. Even though site space
was at a premium, retaining some open
space is a great way to provide a sense
of entry and community.
— John Linstaedt
This project does a beautiful job of
stacking spaces vertically, thereby relating
to the urban context.
— Tom Betti
A compact and urbanely appropriate
design solution; it could have been a
windowless fortress, but instead
advertises to the city the importance
of YMCAs.
— Erik Kocher
Project Details
Architect of Record:
Aquatic Design Engineer
:
Theater Design
: Fisher Dachs Associates - New York, N.Y.
Funded By: Private donations, grants
Major Facility Components: Natatorium,
field house, climbing wall, black-box
theater, racquet courts, wellness center,
members’ lounge, café
Construction Cost: $24.5 million
Square Feet: 100,000
Occupancy: December 2005
Vendors
Bleachers/Grandstands:
StageRight Corp.
Chemical Control Systems:
Chemtrol, Div. of Santa Barbara Control Systems
Cleaners/Vacuums:
Aqua Vac Systems Inc.
Cleaners/Vacuums:
Recreonics Inc.
Climbing Walls:
Entre Prises USA Climbing Walls
Court Panels/Glass:
Anderson Courts and Sports Surfaces Inc.
Dehumidifiers:
Desert Aire Corp.
Elliptical Equipment:
Life Fitness
Exercise Balls:
BSN Sports
Filters:
Neptune-Benson Inc.
Floor Finishes:
Connor Sports Flooring
Flooring:
Dal-Tile Corp.
Flooring, Aerobics:
Mondo
Handicapped Equipment:
Pentair Water Pool and Spa
Heaters:
Lochinvar Corp.
Ladders/Grab Bars:
Paragon Aquatics, Div. of Pentair
Lane Markers:
Paragon Aquatics, Div. of Pentair
Lockers:
Republic Storage Systems Co.
Rowers:
Concept2 Inc.
Shower/Toilet Partitions:
Metpar Corp.
Stair Climbers:
Life Fitness
Stationary Bikes:
Life Fitness
Strength Equipment:
Life Fitness
Surface:
Connor Sports Flooring
Surfaces, Basketball:
Connor Sports Flooring
Surfaces, Multipurpose:
Mondo
Surfaces, Track:
Robbins Sports Surfaces
Swimsuit Dryer:
Extractor Corp.
Treadmills:
Life Fitness
Water Play Features:
Vortex Aquatic Structures Int'l Inc.
