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LA MIRADA GYMNASIUM
LA MIRADA, CALIFORNIA
The City of La Mirada has committed to enhance its recreational opportunities with the development of a 20,125 square-foot gymnasium and multi-purpose facility. Two full-sized basketball cross courts, three volleyball courts and a center N.C.A.A. Regulation basketball court are included.
Concrete masonry construction was selected for its durability and low maintenance. Its mass provides a passive means of controlling heat gain or loss. In addition, all primary spaces are naturally lighted with no artificial lighting required during daylight hours. This is accomplished with the extensive use of glass block and skylights incorporated in the gymnasium ceiling. The balanced direction of lighting precludes glare. The glass block, with its reflective coating, low heat transmission, and high insulation value, provides the optimum of light with low heat gains.
Complimenting this lighting system is the use of a natural system of ventilation. The building is oriented to capture prevailing westerly breezes, which are introduced into and through the building with a system of active louvers, which can be opened or closed and combined with the exhaust ventilation to control the amount of moving air circulating through the building. No auxiliary air cooling is required in the gymnasium, and even on 100+ degree "Santa Ana" days, the temperature in the facility will be in the low 80's.
A key design consideration was that 12 inch reinforced concrete masonry units could be used as a smooth wall surface in the gymnasium without the addition of structural pilasters, which were viewed negatively as an aesthetic and potential hazard issue.
Contrasting colors of precision masonry block were used for field and accent colors at the top of wall surfaces and lintels for openings. All masonry was sandblasted prior to sealing to expose the aggregate and provide a textured appearance throughout the building, including both interior and exterior walls. The location of these accents was carefully considered to insure a uniform appearance on both the inside and outside of the primary spaces.
ARCHITECT:
John
Bates Associates, Inc.
22952 Mill Creek Drive
Laguna Hills, CA 92653-9308
John
T. Bates
Principal
Art
Velasco
Project Manager
OWNER:
City of La Mirada
