Clark Park
Tempe, Ariz.
BEST PROJECT
Sent by: Haydon
Owner: City of Tempe
Main design company: Holly Street Studios
General contractor: Haydon
Civil Engineer: Wooden patel
MEP Engineer: Innovative Construction & Design Services LLC
With an aging existing park with disparate elements that weren’t being used to their full potential, the city of Tempe, Arizona, moved to create a community park with this $11.5 million project, which includes recreational programs and renovated aquatics.
An abandoned aquatic center, an outdated recreation center and a secluded park toilet were demolished and revived as a result of a project that combined the three elements into a community building.
Other park features include a dog park, baseball field, basketball and volleyball courts, as well as an improved play area and community garden.
Facing multiple redesigns throughout construction required a collaborative and proactive approach from all project stakeholders. Navigating these redesigns required open communication, collaborative problem solving, and meticulous documentation. After implementing the redesigns, the team conducted post-mortem reviews to assess their effectiveness and identify lessons learned.
Photo courtesy of Haydon
The building’s design was inspired by the local community, taking cues from the clean lines and natural materials of the neighborhood’s mid-century single-family homes.
As a result, the design featured a 360° public facade and connections through the floor, preserving the park’s view corridors while seamlessly linking the building and park amenities.
Both the building and the features of the park prioritize a balanced universal design, ensuring a clear spatial organization to facilitate movement. Some of the elements integrated into the project include natural ventilation, spacious corridors, cozy living areas, optimal natural light, acoustics for the hearing impaired and clear connections for the overall well-being of the visitor.
The circulation improvements were necessary for the transformation of the park and to address previously disconnected paths and create new routes to integrate the existing facilities. The aquatic area was shaped by community input and offers activities for different age groups.
Photo courtesy of Haydon
Sustainability was a priority in the design of the community building, with the design team incorporating elements such as low-flow water fixtures and solar energy infrastructure, along with continuous overhangs and sunshades for comfort of visitors.
Fenestrations on the east and west facades provide generous openings for natural lighting on the north facades and strategic openings along the southern exposures.
Sustainable building materials and durable components will reduce the need for maintenance or early replacement of materials. Porous pavements were used whenever possible, eliminating unnecessary elements of the landscape, and traffic paths trace their path close to shadow areas such as trees and building overhangs.
Clark Park was delivered on time and on budget in March 2024.
