Robert Livermore Community Center, Livermore, CA

The Robert Livermore Community Center is a 76,000 sf. facility that houses many different programmatic elements. It has a recreaction center with lap pools and a children’s activity pool complete with play structure. A full NBA sized basketball court with capabilities to have 2 side by side basketball courts, badminton and volleyball courts. It also includes an aerobics room/ dance studio, cafe, teen activity center and child care facility.
The community center has a senior activities center, a dining room for a senior program, an arts & crafts center and a multi purpose room with a platform. The second floor houses the administrative offices of the Livermore Area Recreation and Parks District (LARPD). The project was under DSA jurisdiction.
The design of the buildings recalls that of existing agricultural buildings in existence within the community. Exterior materials used are a 3 coat cement plaster finish with an acrylic topcoat, corrugated metal siding on entry elements and asphalt shingle roofing. Because of the program area, the buildings were arranged on the site to create public gathering spaces and to minimize the appearance of a large building. The facilities are meant to complement and enhance the existing park with it's softball fields, community garden and extensive landscaping.

Breaking News:

The Livermore Area Recreation and Park District has been selected as a 2005 Achievement Award winner by the California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS) for the design of the Robert Livermore Community Center (RLCC)

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Gerard Lee, AIA was the project manager at the Associate level at BSA Architects for this project. Duties included managing the design team, both interior and exterior detailing, and intensive management of the Division of State Architect (DSA) review process.
DSA has jurisdiction over state educational facilities and for certain public projects that are funded with State of California funds.
They have some of the most rigorous building code standards and review process for structural, accessibility and fire in the nation. Therefore it's important to understand the review process and to be able to document the design at a higher standard of care. Gerard has both extensive experience with the DSA process and with the State Fire Marshal (CA). Having a commitment to education in the State of California entails having a commitment to accessibility, structural and fire issues. Other projects under the DSA are the DVC new College Bookstore, La Purisima Mission State Historic Park and the DVC Student Activities Remodel.