Social

Town halls or community halls are pivotal spaces within a community, serving as the heart of social and cultural activities, and bring people together for a myriad of events. As architectural symbols of community identity, town halls often embody the values and aspirations of the residents they serve, fostering a sense of belonging and connection among community members, enriching the social fabric and promoting civic engagement. Aakash Patel Aakash Patel Aakash Patel Dahegam Town Hall, conceived by the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA), with an aim to serving the outlying areas of the city, is designed to host a spectrum of communal activities – from social gatherings, performances, and training sessions to... More

The project in Toulouse is divided into two units: The Adoma dormitory for young workers at the street and behind it a complex with twelve terraced houses for families.The Adoma complex consists of two blocks around a central core with communal areas and access zones. The second block is slightly recessed, creating a protected entrance area. The upper floor rests on slender columns. Thus the ground floor remains free and creates a connection to the surrounding green as well as roofed parking spaces for the residents.The individual mini-apartments are constructed as timber modules around a massive access core. The wood remains visible on the ceilings of the apartments and creates a warm, cosy atmosphere in the rooms. More

Boler Mountain is a London not-for-profit organization that invites 4-season access to outdoor recreational programs and facilities with a focus on winter activities. For over 70 years, Boler has been a much-loved presence in the London community. A special focus on inclusivity, health and wellness has helped shape a unique experience for all ages and abilities. The expansion of Boler’s existing forty-year-old chalet have allowed for additional revenue by increasing capacity for hospitality services. A large modern kitchen and licensed banquet hall can accommodate large groups of up to 200. Smaller groups will be comfortable in flexible multi-purpose rooms. During the ski season, up to 400 guests can be accommodated by a range of foo... More

In collaboration with Taller 13. The Regeneration of Ciudad Deportiva in Mexico City is a project that has been lobbied to many city institutions. After several months, Taller 13, a sister office, finally decided to revitalize one of the iconic public and urban spaces of Mexican Architecture and Mexico City. The purpose of the proposal is to achieve a comprehensive plan for the regeneration, integration and synergy between authorities and the private sector. The intention of the group is to communicate its potential as a communal space for recreation and entertainment for all inhabitants. The project also fosters a relationship between place and social & biological habitat, such as eco-systemic and the basin. This project is also expecte... More

Camp JRF’s summer camp expansion harnesses the power of social experience, using a solar-powered, 6,000-square-foot performance building, yurts with communal fire pits, and a bathhouse with outdoor meeting areas. Metcalfe designed a sustainable campus for 90 residents by including solar hot-water heating, rain gardens, solar PV panels, recycled materials, decking made of recycled plastic, and energy-efficient lighting. A mainstay of our approach is the involvement of stakeholders in the design process — in this case, camp counselors. Their input helped create opportunities for socialization that involve learning about the benefits of sustainable design. More

Metcalfe worked with Wissahickon Charter School (WCS) to design a new 48,000-square-foot school building, on a brownfield adjacent to the Awbury Arboretum in Germantown. WCS’s mission focuses on the environment, service learning, and family involvement. Its new home is a light-filled, sustainably constructed building featuring a green roof, public meeting spaces, composting, a student-run bio-diesel program, rainwater permeable parking and sidewalks, and a programmatic connection to the Awbury’s gardens and farmland for outdoor education. The school’s entry and hallways are punctuated by social spaces that facilitate informal learning and social interaction. 2013 PA Brownfields Conference, Extreme Makeover Award Winner More