The center’s design creates an attractive, warm, and transparent landmark facility with an engaging street presence. A strong indoor/outdoor connection welcomes passersby and incorporates significant existing site elements. Major activity spaces include a main hall for up to 450 people, arts and crafts space, a game/social room, an exercise/dance space, classrooms, and a computer lab. These spaces are organized along a wide central “boulevard” that links the eastern street entrance with the western plaza.

The program and key design goals – including functionality, flexibility, accessibility, and efficiency – grew from community input and priorities, including strong participation by the city’s Senior Commission. The building’s layout supports efficient staffing through excellent visual connections between major program and public spaces, the lobby, and the central staff desk.

The building and site respect, protect, and enhance the environment through a broad variety of green strategies that resulted in LEED Gold certification. The center is also designed to function as an emergency operations center.