Ashburn Recreation & Community Center

Project Description:

The Ashburn Recreation and Community Center is designed to serve multiple generations within Loudoun County, Va.,  The U-shaped building defines a south-facing civic courtyard with splash fountains, playgrounds and seating beneath a broad verandah. The site preserves adjacent woodland, wetlands and tree conservation zones, with a perimeter trail connecting natural areas. Building materials reference the region’s agricultural heritage, reinterpreting the vernacular board-and-batten cladding tradition in black zinc panels and cement-board soffits. The athletics-focused west wing includes an aquatics facility with a competitive 8-lane, 50-meter pool and a separate warm-water leisure basin. A large central gymnasium supports basketball, pickleball, volleyball and badminton, with an upper-level perimeter track and fitness studios including cycling, cardio and yoga. The east wing houses multipurpose community rooms, a teaching kitchen serving the courtyard, and an early childhood center with classrooms opening directly to outdoor areas. A dedicated sensory room supports children with autism and ADHD. Sustainability is addressed through a high-performance insulated envelope, sawtooth skylights over the pool, electrochromic perimeter glazing, and translucent polycarbonate panels at the gymnasium’s upper level, minimizing artificial lighting and energy use. Universal and team change rooms ensure broad accessibility, and a comprehensive environmental graphics program unifies wayfinding throughout.