News Release
King County Housing Authority
600 Andover Park West, Tukwila WA 98188
For more information contact: Rhonda Rosenberg, Director of Communications, (206) 574-1185
May 15, 2007
SPRINGWOOD YOUTH CENTER WINS DESIGN AWARD
Springwood Youth Center receives editor's choice award from Recreation
Management magazine
Kent - The Springwood Youth Center has been selected as the winner of the Editor's Choice Award for Innovative Architecture and Design by Recreation Management Magazine.
The Innovative Architecture and Design Awards recognize new and renovated facilities that raise the bar for recreational facility design across the country. This is the fifth year of the competition – and the first Editor's Choice Award. The award was given to the Springwood Youth Center to showcase not just the project design, but the unique mission of the facility, as well. The Springwood Youth Center is also the only project built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards among the winners.
The $3.4 million center, opened in October 2006, was designed by ARC Architects and construction was overseen by the King County Housing Authority. Briere and Associates was the general contractor. It replaced a cramped, dark, outdated structure built in the early 1970s that was bursting at its well-worn seams with use. It is located on the East Hill of Kent in the Springwood Apartments complex, a 321-unit public housing development owned and managed by the King County Housing Authority. "This is a phenomenal resource to the community," said King County Housing Authority Executive Director Stephen Norman. "We're exceedingly pleased to have everyone's hard work and the great results recognized by a leading national publication that specializes in this field."
The 10,800 square-foot building, which reflects the collaboration of the architects with several local artists includes a gym with performance stage, a commercial kitchen, and classrooms for computers, arts and crafts and tutoring.
Judges wrote that the project contains "well-crafted and artistically rich spaces – a true community center." Judges also applauded the environmental responsiveness of the facility.
The facility is designed specifically for programs and activities that support middle and high school aged youth in the community. More than 1,200 youth enjoy recreational and educational programming at the center.
According to Recreation Management magazine, the response for entries was overwhelming and competitive. The magazine reported that this year's competition saw the highest level of excellence they've seen among applicants in the contest's history. The Springwood Youth Center was funded through Building Better Futures, a partnership comprised of the King County Housing Authority, Puget Sound Educational Service District, Kent Youth and Family Services and Center for Career Alternatives. Building Better Futures was established to support the development of services to low-income households in public housing and the surrounding communities on the West Hill of Kent. The Springwood Youth Center is the second of two facilities developed at the site. The first, the Kent Family Center, houses a state-of-the art Head Start program, a health care clinic for mothers and children and a career development center.