TEMPE COMMUNITY CENTER CAMPUS MASTER PLAN
The goal of this master plan was to establish a roadmap for the City to utilize for the next 20 years of future development with key goals such as: enhanced visibility to the community, improved pedestrian experience, a consolidated Human Services Department, optimal use and functionality of plazas, the library and campus buildings, as well as sustainable design features and environmental improvements introduced throughout the campus.
INSPIRED DESIGN:
DWL envisioned a large-scale canopy system for the main plaza area, addressing multiple campus needs in a simple, streamlined and multi-functional design solution. Community outreach identified improved thermal comfort and activation of the campus’s many underutilized outdoor spaces as high priority concerns. This elegant and functional design has the flexibility to integrate lighting, technology, sound systems, signage, wayfinding elements and public art, and to adapt to future needs.
THOUGHTFUL STEWARDSHIP:
Developing an ideal phasing strategy for the Community Center Campus Master Plan was especially challenging for this project given the scale of this long-term planning effort, the planned co-location of multiple City departments with various needs to consider, and the large quantity and range of improvements to be made with varying degrees of urgency. DWL considered these factors carefully and proposed a phased implementation plan intended to conserve and optimize use of time and resources while fairly prioritizing improvements among the campus departments.
CREATIVE TEAMWORK:
DWL made an extensive effort to ensure that as many voices were able to be heard as possible throughout the Master Planning process, with over 60 staff surveyed, 15 staff workgroups interviewed, 7 City of Tempe Commissions included, 3 focus groups interviewed, and over 360 online survey responses collected through Community Outreach. Careful documentation of the outreach process provided the Design Team with an invaluable source of data to draw from while developing design concepts. Several suggestions made by individuals during the outreach phase had a direct impact on the final Master Plan options and recommendations.
ENDURING COMMITMENT:
DWL recognized the City of Tempe‘s desire for the Community Center Campus to maintain and grow its role as a centrally-located hub of community resources and amenities for decades to come. The Design Team was committed to ensuring longevity of the Campus by improving safety, ease of use, walkability and site aesthetics.
