The new Youth Wellness Center building takes the three primary aspects of the program: Health, Nutrition and Fitness, as the formal point of departure. The setting in Periwinkle Park allows for the potential of a fusing of landscape and architecture. Three branches of the building stretch out to engage the landscape.
On the nutrition wing, where there is a large “cooking theatre” kitchen, the branch tip ends in a greenhouse for growing vegetables and herbs which extends into the kitchen garden.
The Health wing, marking the main entrance, extends out over a recycled storm water reflecting pond to form the entry sequence.
The Fitness wing extends out toward the playing areas and includes a large covered porch for playing in rain.
The roof is planted in sedum with various shades of green, and has a large classroom which looks out onto solar collectors of the latest, most efficient quality.
The building is a slab on grade construction geothermally heated and cooled. The wood lattice screens over the glasswalls provide sunshade protection while functioning as planting trellis. There is a large wooden sundeck facing the park with protected glass openings below a gentle ramp from the roof garden to the kitchen garden.
The entire building is built to function as a community place with a sense of openness and invitation. Especially on a rainy November evening at 5 PM, the inviting glow of the activity inside can act as a community catalyst for access to health care, education, nutrition and fitness.
Steven Holl (design architect, principal)
Filipe Taboada (project architect)
Yun Shi, Arseni Timofejev (project team)
