PROJECT Crown Community Center, The Retreat
LOCATION Gaithersburg, Maryland, US
PROJECT COMPLETION DATE 9/1/2015
ARCHITECT Perkins Eastman
ASSOCIATED ARCHITECT
OWNER/CLIENT Westbrook Partners
CONTRACTOR / CONSTRUCTION MANAGER UTICA Contracting, Inc.
PHOTOGRAPHER Photography: Copyright Sarah Mechling | Renderings: Scott Behrens
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM Matthew Bell, FAIA, Christian Bret Calleri, AIA, John Morris, RA LEED AP, Ann Neeriemer, AIA, LEED AP, Scott Behrens
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
Located on the former site of the historic Crown Farm, the 182-acre, transit-oriented development is comprised of distinct neighborhoods interconnected by parks, woodlands, and walkable streets in close proximity to a state-of-the art high school, high-quality retail, and a Light Rail station in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Designed to be an iconic building located in the center of the Crown development, it is a symbol of the various neighborhoods and a place where all in the community feel welcome. The architecture is civic and communicates its role as the place for social gathering.
PROGRAM AND SOLUTION:
The interior of the building required fitting a large amount of Program into a compact building footprint totaling 4,300 sf with an overall building area of 8,700 sf. Spaces include a community great room; kitchen; yoga studio and fitness center with locker rooms; a climbing wall; HOA offices and meeting space.
Anchored on the visual East-West axis of the development, exterior features of the community center include a swimming pool; tennis courts; a bocce ball court; a horseshoe pit; wrap-around deck with a stone fireplace; and a rooftop terrace with grilling capabilities featuring expansive views of the recreational complex, parks, and community. Complex site grading and the overall parcel size
presented challenges for the connection between the amenities and the trail network. The team was able to adopt a more urban strategy with spaces sized only as large as necessary. Another strategy
employed was the decision to arrange all of the uses closely together in lieu of expanding large areas for parking and lawns. These strategies yielded two positive effects. First, a real sense of place is established, and because visitors are guaranteed to encounter a human connection, a definite sense of energy and activity is created.
MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF
IMAGE CAPTIONS & CREDITS
IMAGE 1 Crown Farm Community Center, The Retreat_Exterior Full Day_Thumbnail, Photography by Copyright Sarah Mechling
IMAGE 2 Crown Farm Community Center, The Retreat_Exterior Full Day_High Res_Photography by Copyright Sarah Mechling
IMAGE 3 Crown Farm Community Center, The Retreat_lnterior Living Room_High Res_Photography by Copyright Sarah Mechling
IMAGE 4 Crown Farm Community Center, The Retreat_Exterior Pool__Photography by Copyright Sarah Mechling
IMAGE 5 Crown Farm Community Center, The Retreat_Interior Rock Wall_Photography by Copyright Sarah Mechling
IMAGE 6 Crown Farm Community Center, The Retreat_Exterior Porch_Photography by Copyright Sarah Mechling
IMAGE 7 Crown Farm Community Center, The Retreat__Exterior Porch Lounge_Photography by Copyright Sarah Mechling
IMAGE 8 Crown Farm Community Center, The Retreat__Exterior Porch Walk_Photography by Copyright Sarah Mechling
Crown Community Center, The Retreat
Category
Local > AIA Potomac Valley > Institutional Architecture (AIA Potomac Valley)
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