City of peoria | Rio vista recreation Center

Location: Peoria Arizona

Completion: 09/07

Size: 51,376 sf

The challenge of the City of Peoria Rio Vista Recreation Center was to design a 51,000 sf recreation center on a small site located in an existing park. Nearly surrounded by and daringly close to the park's lake, the Center embraces its surroundings with a shape evocative of its environment. By its grand arching entry and the employment of bridges and cantilevered decks, the Center invites its visitors to experience not only what happens inside the facility but to venture outside to discover what surprises it might hold. The building form uses interlocked curved and folding surfaces creating a 360 degree composition that buffers harsh solar gain while framing protected views to the park and surrounding community. This two-story facility combines standard building materials - masonry, structural steel and concrete - to create its dynamic form. It's simple yet rich finishes include azure glass, perforated Cor-ten steel exterior and metal roofing. Drawing upon its structural essence for beauty, its minimal applied finishes create a comfortable and elegant interior.