Reichardt Community Recreation Center

Project Description

The Reichardt (North Side) Community Recreation Center aims to provide an inviting, secure, and environmentally sustainable environment that fosters community development, social gatherings, and intergenerational connections.  The project prioritized community engagement, demonstrating this commitment through the organization of more than 20 public meetings during the planning and design phases.  The new center will feature a variety of amenities designed to support a wide range of recreational and community activities including an indoor swimming pool, a gymnasium, fitness studios, community rooms, an idea lab, locker rooms, among other facilities.

Designed to achieve LEED Gold rating, the project includes a 35kw base building PV array expandable up to 75kw in the future, as well as a 75 hole Geothermal Heat Exchange system.  The exterior material palate features integral color precast concrete, neutral VE1-2M glazing, and a perforated metal scrim which defines the elongated porch along the western exposure.  The building enclosure utilizes this efficient 3,3,6 structurally finished insulated precast concrete wall system supporting exposed steel trusses and an acoustic metal deck roof structure.   Structural finishes continue with the floors, utilizing burnished concrete in the public spaces, brushed concrete in the wet areas, and sealed concrete in the back of house.  Restrained interior color and materials highlight architecturally significant elements such as, reception, circulation, wet walls, furnishing and wall graphics.

Latent Co-Designed the project with MA Architecture with an emphasis on Building Interiors & Community Engagement.

Project Details

Date
2024
Location
Des Moines, IA
Area
40,000 sf
Typology
Cultural
LEED Certification
Gold | New Construction V4
Client
City of Des Moines
Budget
$21.0 million

Partners

Architect of Record MA Architecture, Construction Manager At Risk JE DUNN, Civil + Landscape Engineer Bolton & Menk, Structural Engineer KPFF, MEPFP Design Engineers, Recreation Consultant Sports Facilities Companies, Aquatic Consultant Counsilman-Hunsaker, Specifications SPECcetera, LEED Consultant C-Wise Design & Consulting
The front porch connects the community room to the outdoors ©MA Architecture

Project Gallery

  1. 1 Lower Level +0'-0"

    Lockers, MEP, and Storage, accompany the main programmatic elements

  2. 2 Upper Level +14'-0"

    The circulation spine divides and visually connects the gym and pool functions

  3. 3 Roof

    A 75kw PV Array compliments the Geothermal Het Exchangers to achieve our sustainable founding principles

  4. 4 Elevations

    The main entrance on the west is 14'-0" higher than College Avenue to the West

  5. 5 Sections

    We took advantage of the existing topography to minimize site excavation

Community Room with a connection to the lawn ©Latent
Community Room with a connection to the Public Kitchen ©Latent
A perforated screenwall wraps the College Avenue pedestrian entrance ©MA Architecture
Linear lights define the ceiling plane reinforcing the exposed structure visually connecting to the cardio ©Latent
The running track circles the gym ©Latent
Cardio + weights overlook the gym ©Latent
Pool ©Latent
Entrance Spine ©Latent
Ideas Lab with views to the Pool ©Latent
Ideas Lab with views to the Circulation Spine ©Latent
From 9th St, the circulation spine clearly divides the gym + pool volumes. ©MA Architecture