The Clayton Community Center in Clayton, N.C., hasn’t officially opened its doors yet, but Clayton residents are undoubtedly eager for their first community center that will expand adult and youth athletic and art programs. With an open design that connects the building to the North Carolina terrain, residents are getting so much more than just gathering space.
Larry Bailey, CPRP, director of the Clayton Parks and Recreation Department, said the town asked architectural firm Clearscapes PA, in Raleigh, N.C., to design a building to “provide functional programming space with use of natural light that is aesthetically pleasing.” Construction took place from January 2007 to October 2009. The $6 million center will open in early 2010 after road improvements are complete.
The community center is sited with an existing park complex and trail system that connects to the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trails. The design of the building further reflects this connection. “The interior circulation of the building behaves as an interior trail conceptually, with controlled vistas and connections to other program areas within the building,” explained Brandy Thompson, AIA, LEED AP, the lead architect for this project.
The request by Clayton Parks and Recreation for an aesthetically pleasing center was achieved with metal wall panels from ATAS International Inc., Allentown, Pa. The 24-gauge panels include 13,200 square feet (1,226 m2) of Dutch Seam (MRD194) in Antique Patina and 1,700 square feet (158 m2) of Belvedere Short Rib
(BWK360) in Black.
According to Thompson, metal also was chosen because of its durability and cost-effectiveness. She added: “We paid close attention to the detailing of the panels to ensure as clean of an aesthetic as possible. Both standing-seam metal panels and ribbed metal panels were used. They add visual interest to what would otherwise be flat facades and help depict the different scales of activities that take place within the building.”
The building also features glass blocks and split-face concrete blocks that add to the façade’s texture. The art studio has a north-facing glass wall so artists can create their works of art in natural light. The general contractor was Davidson & Jones, Raleigh, and the metal panel installer was Burns & Scallo, Garner, N.C.
Visitors are greeted to the community center by a grand community porch canopy, which towers 30 feet (9 m) above the paved plaza below. This grand space-one of Thompson’s favorite design aspects of the center-provides a venue for events such as concerts or craft fairs. Once inside, a two-story lobby connects the lower and upper floors. The first floor includes a gymnasium with two courts; three child care rooms for children of different ages, with indoor and outdoor play areas; and the Parks and Recreation administrative offices. Featured on the second floor are a walking track that encircles the gym below, multipurpose room, pottery studio and art studio.
“Clayton residents should be proud of this remarkable building and take the time to explore Clearscapes’ inviting design,” said Derek Savage, ATAS territory manager for North Carolina and South Carolina. “The ATAS panels add depth to the building and truly help the building-and hopefully the visitors, as well-connect to the inspiring North Carolina environment.”
ATAS International Inc., www.atas.com
