Manhattan Community Center

The project’s goal to create spaces for connections to happen across generations is reinforced by the program and the building’s organization. The building will serve as a home for the Manhattan Community Library, Manhattan Senior as the new Manhattan Community Center. The different components serve multi-generation audiences – the library with designated spaces for children and adults, the dining room to hold meals by the senior center, and meeting rooms and workspace for the community. These components are placed along a central circulation spine that culminates on one end in a generous porch. Each space is intended to have either direct access from the circulation spine, either visually or physical opening to the central hall. This clear organization makes the building easy to navigate and creates a zone for connection to occur as visitors move through center. Intended to be a third place for the community, the building will provide infrastructure for life-long learning and gathering in the form of classes, meetings, games and meals.
An architectural opportunity to give the project unique character that takes full advantage of the project’s adjacency to the park. The back porch is designed as an outdoor room – an extension of the building for lounging, dining or events. The generous overhang and warm wood columns create a sense of enclosure. The community meeting rooms are positioned so events can spill out onto the porch. The southeast orientation and solar exposure will create a comfortable space in three seasons.