Cornelius, North Carolina
The towns of Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville, North Carolina came together in 2018 to design a new community recreation center within their neighborhoods of North Mecklenburg County. Each of the three towns have their own unique identities and the towns’ stakeholders challenged the design team to provide an architectural solution which reflected the values important to each town.
LocationCornelius, North Carolina
ClientMecklenburg County
TypeRecreation
CategoryAquatics, Planning + Studies, Multigenerational, Active Adult
Square Footage85,000
Completion2022
Partners
Through a feasibility study and master planning the architectural team of BRS and LS3P worked with the three town mayors and town commissioners, Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation, as well as school district representatives, environmental groups and other stakeholders from Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville to design a new shared community center. Ultimately, the goal was to ensure the facility felt like “home” for each town represented.
The design references Mecklenburg County's agrarian past, small towns, lake life and the historic textile mills of the area. Finishes throughout the interior are inspired by the texture of woven fabric. A custom sign was created for the front desk that harkens back to faded advertisements on sides of barns or small town shops.
Railing detail inspired by farm fencing and weaving in the textile industry
The staircase becomes a centerpiece of the 'town square'
Following research into the area’s history, as well as study of the current personalities of each of the towns of Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville; BRS and LS3P designed an extensive community outreach process to hear from current townspeople about their values and desires for a new facility.
Each of the three towns have their own unique identities and the towns’ stakeholders challenged the design team to provide an architectural solution which reflected the values important to each town. One of the design themes was a contemporary 'Main Street' design to bring the three communities together in a central place that feels like home.
The resulting site master plan and building design includes a multi-sport gymnasium, two health/wellness/fitness centers, a walk/jog track, indoor leisure pool, indoor competition pool (8 lanes), community meeting rooms, classrooms, dedicated active adult spaces, child watch, administrative offices, kitchen, greenhouse, nature play meadow, picnic shelter, and community garden.
The waterslide is enclosed in a silo-like structure and lit with an art installation "Crop Rotations" by artist Jill Anholt
NRRC is located off Highway 115, nestled into the woods
Virtual tours of our centers
Community Engagement
Public Meeting
Playing the card game
Final results of playing the card game
Input from surveys
Ribbon cutting
Grand Opening
Grand Opening with Ray
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