The Carbondale Recreation & Community Center — designed for a small, environmentally conscious and recreation-oriented town 160 miles west of Denver — is the only recreation center in the world to be certified LEED Platinum. Factors involved in that designation include exemplary sustainable site design and construction practices, water efficiency, use of on-site renewable energy and recycled materials, indoor environmental quality and a near-zero carbon footprint.
The center’s contemporary design incorporates a playful blend of materials, shapes and colors to express the concepts of health, fitness and sustainable building design. The exterior is broken into a variety of one-story elements that reflect Carbondale’s small-town scale and create an inviting streetscape to soften the visual impact of the massive gymnasium. Exterior materials are indigenous to the region and include concrete block, brick, stucco and steel.
Interior materials are all low-VOC, and flooring is made mostly from recycled materials. The main feature of the facility is its multiuse gym and performance center. With a durable synthetic wood floor, excellent acoustics and the capacity to seat up to 800 people, the center can accommodate a variety of public and private events.
Skylights provide natural daylight, and the site incorporates a large sustainably designed park that adjoins a 40-mile bike and pedestrian trail.
Montclair State University Student Recreation Center
