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ROSS SNYDER RECREATION CENTER
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Photography: John Linden
Photography
CMACN 2005 Awards Edition, “CMU Profiles in Architecture”
Jury
Comments: Finding the requisite formal language
to embody the community’s aspirations is a difficult
task. This architect appears to be up to the challenge. The
use of public art, in the form of decorative exterior tile,
serves to broaden the material palette in this decidedly
modern structure in the best tradition of Neutra and
Schindler. Drawing on the contrasts of texture and surface,
light and shadow, the composition is thoughtfully considered
and skillfully executed.
The 12,000 square-foot Ross Snyder Recreation Center,
located in a community park in South-Central Los Angeles, is
a facility that houses a gymnasium, several community rooms,
park offices, kitchen and restrooms. At numerous Volunteer
Neighborhood Oversite Committee meetings, the community
expressed their desire for an upgraded facility with an
expanded program to accommodate community league functions.
A public art component was included at the request of the
community. The artist was selected from a list of five
prospective candidates by a board comprised of a
representative from the community, Cultural Affairs
Department, Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and
Parks project manager and ourselves. Our design comprised a
mosaic of cubic forms providing “canvas” locations
for the selected artist. The artist created a holding hands
motif using tiles of varied color. The building’s
composition of interlocking geometric forms and the variety
of color abstractly represent the diverse community the
Center serves.
Having concrete masonry block walls that help insulate the building, and minimal window openings that reduce the effects of direct sunlight, contribute to greater energy efficiency. The building’s durable CMU, metal panels, tiled walls, stainless steel signage and countertops, corrugated metal siding, and glass block, require virtually no maintenance. Skylights and clerestory windows permit natural light to enter the community rooms and corridor. The wall separating the gymnasium from the interior circulation corridor is punched with rectangular windows at various heights so both children and adults can view activities within the gym.
Built-in benches and exterior walls, which fold at their base, provide seating for the public to watch soccer and baseball being played at the park’s rehabilitated fields. The building is set back from the street with pedestrian scaled elements to welcome users. The entry is marked by a white geometric form disengaged from adjacent walls seemingly floating as it rests on glass block.
The Center is strategically located to take advantage of the large oak tree, which sits between the building and the existing adjacent gym. The plaza under the oak tree has become activated by the introduction of the Center. The original gym, new Center and their shared exterior spaces, combine to function as a complete facility serving the community in response to their integral participation. The safe family oriented environment promotes both day and night activities, and has made the park a major communal focal point for the neighborhood.
ARCHITECT:
Kanner
Architects
1558 10th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Stephen
H. Kanner, FAIA
Principal
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER:
Martin & HBL
GENERAL CONTRACTOR:
City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Engineering
MASONRY CONTRACTOR:
Baltimore Construction, Inc.
BLOCK PRODUCERS:
Angelus Block Company, Inc.
OWNER:
City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks
