Sargent Family Community Center
The City of Presque Isle, Maine wanted a new community center designed to be innovative, contextually appropriate, and culturally representative of the community.
The Sargent Family Community Center is a new 26,000 square foot recreation facility, with a gymnasium, indoor walking track, teen center, senior center, and multi-function room. Completed in October 2016, the $8,000,000 facility features a large central lobby equipped with a reception counter and administrative offices which overlook the teen center, senior center, gymnasium, and multi-purpose room. Each functional space accommodates multiple programs to provide maximum utility and flexibility. The kitchen is situated so it can serve senior citizen meals and cater events hosted in the spacious lobby.
The lobby floor features a compass rose pattern to represent Presque Isle’s “Star City” logo and celebrate a unified community spirit. Floor to ceiling glass walls allow for open visibility, reinforcing an inter-generational connection that is a priority to this community, while providing dedicated spaces for age specific activities. The color scheme is comprised of calming and natural colors, as a reflection of the local community featuring materials selected based upon aesthetics, function and ease of maintenance.
Siting the building, on a former brownfield site, was an important consideration since it abuts urban, residential and protected parkland. The city promotes a walking culture in its urban core and is encircled by a wide spread agrarian population reliant on vehicular transportation. The multi-entry point building anticipates the various approaches visitors are anticipated to use accessing the building. The building’s cross sloped roofs step a large gymnasium structure down to human scale at pedestrian approaches. The design employs fenestration strategically to enhance natural daylighting. For enhanced human comfort, radiant floors are provided throughout with the exception of the gymnasium.
SUSTAINABILITY HIGHLIGHTS:
Efficiency Maine has recognized the facility for meeting its Advanced Buildings Program requirement. The energy efficient features offer reduced heating and electric bills, lower maintenance costs. The building is oriented and fenestrated to maximize natural daylight, with clerestory windows bringing in an abundance of reflected daylight and façade overhangs to prevent glare and heat gain during summer months.
The new community center achieved the city’s vision of a bright and lively place for people to come together in the heart of Presque Isle – on the banks of the Presque Isle Stream.
Architecture or A/E Firm Name
Architect
Team
Consultants
Location
Client
General Contractor
Photos
