Architecture Programming Project 3: 21st century Community center

Abstract

The history of community city can trace back to 1907. At that time, Edward J. Ward, a Presbyterian minister in New York, proposed community center in schools which provided facilities for inner cities outside school hours. The idea was successful. The community was opened for gatherings, group activities, social support, public information, and other purposes ("Community Centre"). However, most community centers lost its significance in modern lifestyle. Except for community centers operated by specific organizations, other community centers are just simply rental spaces for parties or rooms with gym facilities. It is no longer a place for community gathering. What programs should be put in community centers so as to adapt the use of the building type into modern society? In what way the community center should be designed so that it can gather the community? The research will compare 3 community centers in Beaverton in terms of their organization, sources of income, facilities, types of services they provide and facilities. The assumption of the research is that neighborhoods are close to each other, thus people can commute by walking. In part I, brief introduction of each community center will be given. Comparisons between different centers will be given in a table and a short conclusion. In part II, HECTTEAS Tables will be drawn for each center out of the information from the research so as to understand the community centers in terms of architectural programming. Part III will be a summary of all data and a conclusion.