Kennedy Physical Education Center
2214 E. 13th Street, Vancouver, Washington 98661
Client:

Size:

Construction Cost:

 Washington State School for the Blind

29,100 SF

$ 7,815,000
The Kennedy Physical Education Center at the Washington State School for the Blind was designed to replace the existing facility and demonstrates Terra's abilities to mesh with the site, implement sustainable design, and work closely with the community to increase already positive relations.  The center features a gymnasium, pool, classrooms, fitness center, recreation and support spaces that serve not only the students, but the surrounding community as well.

The basic design is two-fold. First, the design was to respond to carefully evaluated environmental issues. It was required to have natural ventilation, meet LEED requirements, lower energy consumption, and lower life-cycle costs. Second, the design aesthetic was to actively express the functions within: action, movement, recreation, and fun, attracting public attention, yet not detracting from the aesthetic of the existing campus first established in 1864.

Sustainable Features Include:

  • Surpassing the State of Washington's requirement for government funded buildings to reach LEED Silver Certification, the new center is on track to meet LEED Gold Standards.

  • The design takes advantage of the location's climate, applying site and environmental data collected during pre-design, to provide automated natural cooling through using louvers.

  • Stormwater Management keeps all stormwater on site, with excess rain water directed to a bioswale.

  • At every opportunity possible, Terra was sure to specify the user of recycled content materials, local and regional materials, and low emitting materials.

  • Terra Architecture worked closely with the Mechanical Engineer to design a system that optimizes energy performance, cutting both its usage and its life cycle cost.

  • Many skylights will provide enough daylighting to significantly lower electricity use by the building, cutting costs.

  • Rather than being treated with harsh chemicals, the pool utilizes a salt-based water purification system.

  • Bike Storage and recharging stations are provided to accommodate bicyclists and alternatively fueled vehicles.

Aesthetic Considerations:

  • The Design of the new Kennedy Fitness Center is based upon the liveliness of the function: gym sports, swimming, rock climbing, and exercise.

  • Features promoting a feeling of exuberant activity: Visual shapes like exterior waving roof shapes, interior spaces that stretch in vertical directions, images of color variances and textural contrasts, allowance of significant daylighting and natural ventilation.

  • All spaces within the new Kennedy Fitness Center reflect the exterior design expression of movement and action. Key was Terra's ability to design a visually appealing structure that could meet all functional and LEED requirements.