Taylor Kurtz were engaged by the city of Surrey to Design the new Arts and fitness expansion to the South Surrey Recreation Centre. To ensure the project successfully reflected the needs of the South Surrey community and the mandates put forth by the City of Surrey, an extensive community consultation process was undertaken to identify the goals and aspirations of its residents. This public process helped to define the functional program that would become a set of guiding principles throughout the design and construction Phases.
The existing facility has a very “busy” architectural expression. Rather than attempt to compete with this expression, the new addition is “quiet” and simple in its presentation. There is a clear and distinct departure from the original expression so as maintain a clarity and legibility about what came first, second and so on. This legibility is further articulated by the glazed double height volume which provides “space” between the two buildings allowing each other to “breath”. It also provides a fantastic opportunity for vibrant and stimulating programming.
The design strategies developed for the site aim to build on some significant natural attributes of the immediate context while addressing several significant problems and missed opportunities that exist within the athletic park.
