poe of rpac linden babcock. recreation & physical activity center 569,459 sq. ft. $140 million...
TRANSCRIPT
POE of RPAC
Linden Babcock
Recreation & Physical Activity Center
569,459 sq. ft.
$140 million
Phase I open:
Summer 2005
Phase II open:
Winter 2007
Architect:
Moody Nolan
Design Architect:
Antoine Predock
Outdoor Spaces
Method/ Findings
Over three days, took observations of how many people were at the site and what they were doing
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
pass
ing thr
ough
- walk
ing
pass
ing thr
ough
- biki
ng
cam
e walk
ing
cam
e on
bike
cam
e walk
ing i
n grou
p
studyin
g
skat
eboar
ding
runn
ing
cam
e with
child
ren
eatin
g outsi
de
obse
rving
peop
le
on co
mpu
ter
liste
ning t
o m
usic
sittin
got
her
7am
noon
3:30pm
6pm
Monday
Thursday SaturdayThursday
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
pass
ing thr
ough
- walk
ing
pass
ing thr
ough
- biki
ng
cam
e walk
ing
cam
e on
bike
cam
e walk
ing i
n grou
p
studyin
g
skat
eboar
ding
runn
ing
cam
e with
child
ren
eatin
g outsi
de
obse
rving
peop
le
on co
mpu
ter
liste
ning t
o m
usic
sittin
got
her
7am
noon
3:30pm
6pm
Saturday
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
pass
ing thr
ough
- walk
ing
pass
ing thr
ough
- biki
ng
cam
e walk
ing
cam
e on
bike
cam
e walk
ing i
n grou
p
studyin
g
skat
eboar
ding
runn
ing
cam
e with
child
ren
eatin
g outsi
de
obse
rving
peop
le
on co
mpu
ter
liste
ning t
o m
usic
sittin
got
her
7am
noon
3:30pm
6pm
The mornings had
the most traffic that
passed through the
site whereas in the
afternoons people
used the site as a
destination
Method/ Findings
Interviewed 20 people coming to the facility and around campus.
When do you use RPAC?
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2
4
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14
1
before work
after work
after class
before class
neverDo you use the outdoor spaces?
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2
4
6
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10
12
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16
18
1
yes
no
Why don't you use it?
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too hot/sunny no activities not comfortable other
Why do you use it?
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0.5
1
1.5
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2.5
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3.5
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4.5
benches picnic tables performance areas stairs
How do you arrive?
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car bus walk bike other
Most people come to the
RPAC after work and arrive
by walking or bicycle. Most
people are not coming to the
RPAC to use the outdoor
spaces.
Is RPAC an obstacle?
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2
4
6
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10
12
yes no
What do you use the RPAC for?
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4
6
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20
eat workout swim meetfriends
study class other
Rate the exterior design
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2
4
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12
1 2 3 4 5
Rate the plantings
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1
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3
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5
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1 2 3 4 5
Is there enough lighting?
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yes no
Do you feel safe?
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yes no
The RPAC was
an obstacle to
those who rode
bikes because
they couldn’t ride
through the main
plaza
The lightning
overall people
thought was
good, except on
the north stairs.
On a scale of 1 to 5,
5 being the best,
most people
thought the exterior
design was alright,
but that there could
be improvements
Most people
came to the
RPAC to
workout
Everyone
surveyed
said they
feel safe in
and around
the RPAC
On a scale of 1 to 5,
5 being the best,
most people
disliked the
plantings, especially
now that we haven’t
had rain in a while.
Conclusion
Most people came to the RPAC after work or class Everyone felt safe Exterior space not heavily used as a destination Lighting not good on the north stairs and stairs are
awkwardly spaced Exterior spaces not comfortable –too hot and open About half felt the RPAC was an obstacle, especially
when riding a bike Got some comments that at first the RPAC seemed
so big and intimidating, but now that they’ve used it they really like it
Suggestions
Short term– Add large planters with trees to provide interest
and shade– Better upkeep of existing landscaping– Add lighting to north stairs
Long Term– Get rid of some hardscaping to make it a more
comfortable space for people– Add trees or some sort of screening for shade