Title: Chatham Park YMCA
Location of Proejct: Pittsboro, NC
Project Completion Date: NA
Firm Name: Clark Nexsen

Short Description: A new model for the YMCA in the Chatham Park development focuses on promoting healthy lifestyles, strengthening community connections, and reducing environmental impact. The design concept extends the village green across the street where it unfolds from the earth to form the green roof plane. Circulation then extends underneath connecting the landscape to Hourglass Lake. Intended to be a catalyst for community, the design seeks to magnify the role of the recreation center beyond being a place to exercise. The roof plane becomes activated by an amphitheater and a connection through an oculus to the building program and path below.

Architect's Statement: The transparency that is created by unfolding and lifting the ground plane allows the building and landscape to merge strengthening indoor/outdoor connections. Indoor program areas are organized around three distinct elements: WELLNESS, that connects to outdoor exercise areas, COMMUNITY, that visually connects to the village green, and YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, that connects the interior gymnasium to the covered exterior “airnasium”.

The concept’s emphasis on sustainability serves as a model for how net zero strategies can be applied to community buildings. Informed by energy modeling and rigorous site analysis, the building’s form and organization respond to sun and wind paths, aiming to minimize energy demand and consumption. To reduce environmental impact and integrate on-site renewable energy, the design features a green roof, wood structural system, geothermal system, and solar photovoltaic panels.

Targeting net zero meant fully exploring renewable energy sources. The energy modeling conducted to assess the overall impact of environmental conditions and reduce the energy load also enabled the design team to determine how many solar photovoltaic panels would be needed to achieve net zero.

Going beyond traditional sustainability, the team applied WELL design principles for overall well-being. Research has shown that being near or on a body of water reduces stress and anxiety, and the scheme activates the shoreline of the lake. By designing the building as a connector, with the amphitheater, floating stage, and outdoor fitness space adjacent to the water, it strengthens connections between the lake, village green, and indoor and outdoor recreation spaces.