Rainbow Recreation Center

The Rainbow Recreation Center is a collaboration between the City, architect and the community through multiple meetings addressing identity, safety, beauty, and programmatic need. The project demolished the existing recreation center and constructed a new, expanded recreation center around an existing gymnasium to support multiple programs including weekly food distribution, children's daycare, community engagement, and athletic and nature activities in an underserved area of the City. The name "rainbow" arises from the ideals of diversity, inclusion, and beauty. The prominent facade and graceful wave roofline provided the desired presence and identity along the busy industrial corridor. Working with an artist, the design team integrated science and art. Elements included diffraction grating, creating rainbows on the floor within, treated windows with color changing film depending on one's perspective, solar noon indicator, showing solar noon each day, and perforated roof shading that emulates the shape of the sun in its shadow. These details reminded all of our ties to each other and nature. Building programs were organized to blur interior and exterior natural boundaries. Exterior fenestrations were carefully considered to provide connection to the nature. Exterior features were considered to share ideas of sustainable site stewardship, including butterfly gardens, native species garden and rainwater management features. The project is currently pursuing LEED Gold certification.