Driving Park Community Center and Pool Improvements

Columbus, OH
Construction Cost: 10.5 Million
Area / Square Feet: 32,500
Occupancy Date: May 2016

The Driving Park Community Center renovation transformed a bunker of a building into a bright beacon for the community. The project doubled the size of the existing center by removing outdated support spaces and creating new entrance, office and activity zones.

Originally two projects, the design team incorporated the outdoor pool into the building to allow locker rooms to be shared between the pool and gym. This efficiency in turn allowed for the renovation of an existing, smaller gym into an extension of the lobby, a classroom, a multipurpose space, and new storage and mechanical spaces.

The site of a driving track in the early 1900s, the front face of the center features a sloping, composite-metal panel reminiscent of a race car, anchoring the entrances of the community room and pool. Brick establishes a solid base, while cementitious panels add patterning. Glass provides a welcoming entrance, light at the clerestory, and connectivity between activity zones.

The back sides of the building employ economic block and corrugated metal panels. Adding air conditioning allowed existing louvers on the north face to be replaced with vertical windows, affording views to and from classrooms. The open interior layout allows for casual supervision of all spaces off the main lobby.