Boys and Girls Club of America
Alameda, California

In association with Lyons Construction Company, LDA Architects is designing a 25,000 gsf Community Recreation and Education facility for the Alameda Boys and Girls Club.

The design process is utilizing a series of work sessions with the BCGA Board and will eventually include the Alameda School District and youth representatives from the Club. Lyons Construction participates as a design-build contractor, managing costs at every step of the process.

Located on the grounds of Woodstock Elementary School, and adjacent to the playground and ball fields, the facility will provide additional program space to the school and offices for various community recreational and educational programs.

A large gymnasium will feature a living green roof, natural ventilation, and radiant heating – air conditioning will not be, thereby saving the facility from its most inefficient use of energy. An orchard of deciduous trees will screen the south elevation from the summer sun and errant homerun balls. Natural light is generously brought in to all areas to reduce the demand for artificial illumination. The project is intended to achieve LEED certification – both as an example to the youth served, and as a means to reduce resource demands.

A pre-engineered building module houses the educational and office functions of the Club and Community Center. Gently terraced to meet the existing grade, spaces are provided with overlooks and “stages” to tie together the many functional areas of the children’s programs. Punctuated by a variety of openings throughout, spaces will have a range of light, views and access to the outdoor play areas.

Features will include an art-screen that shields windows from the harsh setting sun and serves as a dynamic display of children’s artistic works. A dance studio / martial arts dojo, performance stage and the Teen Room align with the gymnasium, and intervening openings provide light and a continuous view – outsiders are in-vited to watch or join in the experience.