Thrive

The BRS design team began the project with a comprehensive, inclusive, public master planning process which lead to a reimagined vision for Memorial Park and adjacent Valley Vista Nature Park. The new center is the centerpiece of the new park experience serving as a central gathering and activity facility and a gateway to Lewisville. The original project was to connect two outdated buildings and add an indoor swimming pool. Once needs and wishes were understood, the project transformed into constructing a new building at a different location that combined and expanded amenities of the old buildings.

The new facility has dedicated space for recreation including end to end gymnasiums that promotes viewing, group fitness, and training; a natatorium that includes both lap and leisure swimming; an active adult center, a family lounge, child watch, indoor play, an indoor walking trail, community event room, increased parking, and public art. The landscape design and layout serve as a biofilter for parking lot and building water runoff.

A true multigenerational center, it creates more opportunities for the community to gather and will help Lewisville realize its vision of diversity, connectivity, resource management, and growth.

Liminal

Lewisville is very proud of the connections to nature that they have integrated throughout their city in the form of greenways, trails, pathways and an impressive reservoir lake. An important theme was to find ways to dissolve the feeling of being indoors as much as possible. Strategic window placement, an abundance of natural light and the use of natural materials on interior finishes were critical— windows at end of corridors, jewel box areas at fitness overlooking the park, ying yang resting areas at the building entry, abundant daylighting, daylight into locker rooms, migratory bird sculptures that fly from outside through lobby to outside again.

Shared Journeys

The aim of the stone mural is to connect people to people and people to place. Lewisville Lake emerged as a special attribute of Lewisville's identity and appeal. It also provides significant habitat for migrating and resident birds along the central flyway which connects South and North America. Diverse species share the flyway on their seasonal journeys. This was an apt metaphor for the multi-generational aspect of the new facility where seniors, youth and families would come together. The different species of birds depicted have the potential to spark conversation and relationships with young and old. Exterior elements welcome visitors arriving from the parking lot and reinforce circulation into the building. The flowing gestures turn the corner and move inside, and the mural grows in scale to cover the full height of the wall. This one-of-a-kind mural was a shared journey for all involved and an extra bonus to connect BRS & Chevo and Colorado & Texas.