Republic of the Philippines

EASTERN VISAYAS STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND ALLIED DISCIPLINE
Tacloban City

DES 415 – ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 7

RESEARCH WORK No. 2

COMMUNITY CENTER

Submitted By:

BRENT JARRYD P. LUEGO

BSAR – 4A

Submitted To:

AR. HERVY G. CATILOGO, MSCM

INSTRUCTOR

Date
SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. COVER PAGE ………………………………………….………... i

TABLE OF CONTENTS………………………………...….…… ii

II. INTRODUCTION…………...……………………………………. 3

III. BACKGROUND……………………….………...…………………5

SPACES CONSIDERED IN COMMUNITY CENTER DESIGN……………………. 6

HOW ARE THESE SPACES ADAPTING TO THE CHANGING NEEDS OF

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH ..............................................

…………………………….. 7

EXAMPLES OF COMMUNITY CENTERS …………………………………………..10

IV. CONCLUSION……………………………………………………..13

V. REFERENCES…………………………………………………….14
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INTRODUCTION

A community center is a location created especially for the individuals, groups, and

organizations in a certain region, where they may gather and carry out activities. These versatile

establishments serve as hubs for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together, offering a

multitude of opportunities for connection, personal growth, and shared experiences. Whether the

objective is to engage in fitness and recreation activities, pursue lifelong learning, or simply find

a sense of belonging within the community, the presence of a singular, multi-purpose building

can be an invaluable asset. In this exploration, we will delve into the myriad ways in which

community centers serve as vital anchors, enhancing the quality of life for residents of all

generations, and ultimately contributing to the social fabric and vibrancy of the community.

A community center stands as a cornerstone of any thriving locality, serving as a

dynamic focal point for residents to gather, connect, and engage in a wide array of activities.

These multifaceted institutions play an integral role in enhancing the social fabric and overall

well-being of the community they serve. From providing spaces for recreation and fitness to

offering educational and cultural opportunities, community centers are invaluable assets that

cater to the diverse needs and interests of all ages and backgrounds. In this exploration, we will

delve into the significance of community centers as vital hubs where people come together to

forge connections, pursue personal growth, and collectively contribute to the enrichment of their

shared living environment.

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The architecture of a community center is a profound reflection of a community's values,

aspirations, and unique identity. In today's world, where the imperatives of sustainability and

community design are paramount, crafting a community center that resonates with its specific

context is both an art and a science. This introduction will delve into the intricate relationship

between sustainability and community design in the realm of community center architecture,

emphasizing the critical importance of tailoring these elements to the distinctive needs and

characteristics of each community. From providing spaces for recreation and fitness to offering

educational and cultural opportunities, community centers are invaluable assets that cater to the

diverse needs and interests of all ages and backgrounds. In this exploration, we will delve into

the significance of community centers as vital hubs where people come together to forge

connections, pursue personal growth, and collectively contribute to the enrichment of their

shared living environment.

This study takes into account the community center project, employs suitable technology

to raise the capacity and hygiene levels of a community of urban poor people living in a

developing country, raises awareness of gender equality, and takes into account the process of

implementing appropriate technology.

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BACKGROUND

Although there is a tendency to concentrate on the ecological features of specific

buildings, it's crucial to keep in mind that every building is a part of a much larger community.

Buildings, infrastructure, and people working together to create ever-increasing efficiency at a

local, municipal, and even regional level can have the biggest effects. The part that community

development may play in fostering both livable neighborhoods and a healthy environment.

Both sustainability and community design depend heavily on their surroundings. The idea

of a community center is a recent development that built as a consequence of the demand for a

location that offers a new facility that can support the new responsibilities performed by

individuals and groups in a changing society. A community center has never before existed as a

distinct entity. If one could say that the community center of a traditional "Islamic city" was the

central area of the commercial and public buildings, around the mosque and its courtyard, the

bazaar, the public bath, and other public buildings. The community center is defined as a place

that offers services and a place to meet. These locations served as the gathering spots for people

in the past.

The community center could be able to fulfill a need that no other public structures

accomplish this, i.e., they integrate the local families. Users of schools are divided by age and
gender. Users of women's centers are often women, users of mosques are usually males,

customers of health clinics are usually those in need. As we can see in the current community

centers, this crucial aspect has been disregarded and the community centers have been reduced to

a multipurpose building for women and children. No public building has the potential to provide

for entire families, for both genders and all ages, as much as the community center. 6

SPACES CONSIDERED IN COMMUNITY CENTER DESIGN

Community center spaces are versatile facilities that serve as hubs for a wide range of

activities and services within a community. These spaces are designed to promote social

interaction, education, recreation, and cultural enrichment. They are often managed and

maintained by local governments, nonprofit organizations, or community associations. Here are

some common features and uses of community center spaces:

1. Meeting Rooms: Community centers typically have meeting rooms of various sizes that

can be used for community meetings, workshops, classes, and seminars.

2. Recreation Areas: These spaces may include indoor and outdoor recreational facilities

such as gyms, sports courts, swimming pools, and fitness centers.

3. Cultural and Arts Spaces: Many community centers have spaces dedicated to cultural and

artistic activities, such as theaters, art galleries, and music rooms.

4. Classrooms: Educational programs and classes, including language courses, computer

training, and vocational training, are often held in community center classrooms.

5. Library or Reading Room: Some community centers have libraries or reading rooms

where community members can access books, magazines, and other educational

resources.
 6. Senior Centers: These spaces may include facilities and programs tailored to senior

citizens, such as social events, health services, and recreational activities.

7. Youth Centers: Some community centers have dedicated areas for young people, offering

after-school programs, homework help, and recreational activities to keep them engaged

in positive ways.

8. Community Kitchens: These are spaces where cooking classes, community meals, and

nutrition education can take place. 7

9. Outdoor Spaces: Many community centers have outdoor amenities like playgrounds,

picnic areas, and green spaces for outdoor events and activities.

10. Community Events: Community centers often host or facilitate various events such as

cultural festivals, craft fairs, and holiday celebrations.

11. Social Services: Some community centers offer social services like counseling, job

placement assistance, and support for individuals and families in need.

12. Volunteer Opportunities: They can provide a platform for community members to

volunteer and give back to their neighborhoods.

13. Community Gardens: In some cases, community centers may have gardening spaces that

allow residents to grow their own produce or beautify the area.

14. Technology Centers: These spaces might offer computer labs and internet access for

digital literacy programs and job searching.

15. Multipurpose Rooms: These versatile spaces can be adapted for a wide range of

activities, including community meetings, dances, receptions, and more.

HOW ARE THESE SPACES ADAPTING TO THE CHANGING NEEDS OF PHYSICAL

AND MENTAL HEALTH?

1. Inclusivity and the human experience 8

The necessity of inclusiveness, not just diversity, within our communities has

only been highlighted by the present social context. Despite the growing significance of

our digital communications, the need for physical venues to provide us with these

opportunities to connect has never been more pressing. After experiencing protracted

physical isolation, our yearning for tactile contacts has only grown. Rec centers may

facilitate these encounters, but in order to do so, they must take into account a wide range

of user requirements in order to provide a friendly environment for everybody.

To engage a wide range of participants, efforts were made to visually link rooms

with regions designed for individuals of all ages, skill levels, and requirements. By using

these design elements, we can make scaled, light, and pleasant spaces that encourage

usage and develop a place for a community to congregate.

2. Environmental and economic sustainability

Large capital expenditures are needed to create community recreation facilities, as

well as significant operating expenses. Costs for facilities with ice or water are even

greater. The fact that many contemporary recreation facility designs aim to meet high-

performance construction requirements for both economic and environmental

sustainability shouldn't come as a surprise. Recently, recreation facilities have been

constructed to some of the strictest energy-performance requirements, such as Passive

House. These buildings are not only more efficient because to the focus on better

building envelopes and mechanical systems, but they also feature better construction,

lower total running costs, and increased resilience. The increased expenses to build to

these requirements will continue to decline as high-performance buildings become more

 widespread, and we can anticipate seeing a lot more community recreation facilities
9
constructed in this manner.

An energy standard like Passive House is sometimes misunderstood to result in

buildings with minimal natural light or air. High performance criteria, however, also

prioritize guaranteeing people's comfort. As shown in some of the early Passive-House

constructed aquatic centers, these buildings allow for lots of natural light and air, just as

much as any conventional building. The high-performance envelopes in these

natatoriums enable the interior ambient temperatures to be maintained at greater levels

despite the quantity of glass present, enhancing user thermal comfort and lowering the

energy costs associated with heating the pools. Additionally, the same enclosures will be

more resistant to climate change.

3. Programmatic flexibility

Flexibility in these structures is crucial since the "community" in community

recreational facilities is becoming just as important as the "recreational." Squash and

racquetball courts used to be often included and took up a lot of program space. Since

then, those sports' appeal has waned, leading many operators to redesign these underused

areas. Newer recreation facilities are increasingly emphasizing the inclusion of additional

multifunctional spaces that are open for a range of activities, not only exercise, having

learned from examples like these.

Community recreation centers now provide a wider range of services, including

social programs for elders and immigrant seniors, youth outreach, and parental support

groups. These call for venues that could hold daycare in the afternoons, yoga sessions in
 the mornings, and educational events in the evenings. For a variety of programs, it's

crucial to take into account the design of the acoustics, lighting, and finishes.

This does not imply that standard natatoriums or gymnasiums are going extinct.

Instead, they are being scrutinized to make the most of them and accommodate a wider

variety of purposes. Recreation facilities' ancillary spaces are often seen as chances to

provide amenities, from art exhibits in the hallways to lobbys that function as community

cafés. Expanding this even further, it is typical to think about applications for nearby

outdoor spaces including the rooftops of buildings. 10

4. Changing to fit the community

The structures that unite our communities must change along with them since they

are always undergoing change. These design concepts for community recreation facilities

go above and beyond only being aesthetically pleasing, useful, and functional. They are

changing to accommodate the diverse range of users, effectively acting as a community

hub.

EXAMPLES OF COMMUNITY CENTERS

 Figure 1:
Hugh
Broughton
11

Amid order to create a community center amid a historic dockyard on the Isle of

Sheppey, Hugh Broughton Architects sensitively restored a church from the 19th century.

The grade II*-listed structure, known as Sheerness Dockyard Church, has been restored with a

new roof and internal spaces created by Hugh Broughton Architects to replace those destroyed

by fire in 2001. The former church has been transformed into a hub for the neighborhood,

complete with an exhibition space, cafe, events area, and business incubator.

The church is a significant component of an 18th-century scheme by Scottish civil

engineer John Rennie, and is situated in a prominent location in the port town of Sheerness in

north Kent. The restoration was ordered by the Sheerness Dockyard Preservation Trust.
 Figure 2:
Kéré
Architectur

The Kamwokya Community Centre in Kampala, Uganda, was designed by Berlin firm

Kéré Architecture, and it has steel canopies to provide shade. The collection of brick structures,

which are situated in one of Kampala's most impoverished neighborhoods, offer multifunctional

spaces for neighborhood activities that are planned around a sizable sports court and play area in

its center.
12

The site of the Kamwokya Community Centre is elevated on a stepped concrete platform,

preventing flooding that frequently happens after significant rains.

With the playing field slightly recessed and flanked by tribune-like stairs that allow the

community to watch games or meet informally, this platform is utilized to produce minor

changes in level around the site that differentiate various locations. A water tower with a

concrete base, metal-framed midsection, and bamboo top marks the location of the Kamwokya

Community Centre in the northeastern portion of the property.

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CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, community center spaces are integral to the well-being and

vibrancy of neighborhoods. They go beyond mere physical spaces; they are the

heartbeats of communities, where connections are made, skills are acquired, and

bonds are strengthened. These spaces serve as more than just buildings; they are the

foundations of social cohesion, providing a sense of belonging and personal

development opportunities for everyone, regardless of age, background, or

circumstance.

The adaptability of community centers is a key strength, as they can cater to

the unique needs and resources of each community they serve. Whether it's

providing a safe haven for after-school programs, offering a platform for cultural

celebrations, or serving as a hub for vital social services, these spaces are dynamic

and ever-evolving to meet the changing needs of their neighborhoods.

In a world often characterized by fragmentation and isolation, community

center spaces stand as beacons of unity and inclusivity. They remind us that, at our

core, we are social beings, seeking connection and growth. As we continue to invest

in and support these spaces, we reinforce the idea that strong communities are built

on the principles of shared knowledge, collective well-being, and a sense of

togetherness.

14

REFERENCES:

Ali, D. (1994). Building Community in Low-income Areas: Designing a

New Architectural Language for Community Centers in

Jordan. Retrieved from:

file:///C:/Users/Brent%20Jarryd%20P%20Luego/Downloads/36888086-MIT.pdf
Azegami, T. (2021). 3 emerging trends that put the “community” in community rec center

design. Retrieved from: https://www.stantec.com/en/ideas/topic/buildings/3-emerging-trends-

that-put-the-communit-in-community-rec-center-design

De zeen. (2023). Community Centres. Retrieved from: https://www.dezeen.com/tag/community-

centres/

Lee, B. (2019). A case study of a community center project based on appropriate technology as a

community capacity building of underdeveloped country. Retrieved from:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13467581.2019.1595628

Schiender, J. (2009). Community Center. Retrieved from:

https://www.architectmagazine.com/technology/community-center_o