Lubber Run Community Center

Featuring net-zero energy design and a landscape-focused approach to the surrounding park, Lubber Run Community Center offers a holistic response to an urban challenge and creates public space that is greater and greener for neighbors. Lubber Run Community Center replaces a previous 1950’s-era community building on a tight 4.5-acre site that also includes new outdoor recreation spaces and amenities.

The team applied an empathetic approach to gathering cross-generational voices that informed the design of numerous blended spaces connected to nature. Robust local partnerships supported solutions for a sustainable, place-based design that integrates interior and exterior public and programmed spaces. The resulting hybrid solution blurs the distinction between indoors and outdoors and encourages occupants to feel connected to the park landscape around them.

The 50,000 sf replacement structure includes multipurpose rooms for recreation programs, a fitness center, a gymnasium, a preschool program, community meeting rooms, a kitchen, reception and office space for county-wide Parks and Recreation staff. Outdoor programmed and open recreation spaces include a playground, a volleyball and basketball court, covered gathering space, and improvements to site circulation and streetscape.

Building on the local commitment to sustainability, Lubber Run Community Center achieved LEED Gold and is designed as a net-zero energy facility. Site layout, building massing, envelope design, and systems design were developed with energy performance in mind. Additionally, trees that were felled during construction were milled and used to clad the primary circulation pathways inside.