chapter 6 Designing Recreation Facilities and Reading Blueprints

Design Stage The design stage of a facility development project brings together all relevant details of assessment and planning and integrates them into design documents, or blueprints, that describe what will be constructed. All of the ideas generated during the earlier stages must fit together, similar to a puzzle. The final design is a commitment that represents the formal start of a project.

Design Team The design team, which usually evolves from the assessment and planning stages, consists of a team leader or architect, administrators from the recreation agency, and the construction manager. This group works together in a cooperative and professional fashion to bring the project to reality.

Design Considerations Before an architect can complete actual design work, certain topics need to be discussed by the design team: Site Type of structure Materials Lighting Mechanical systems Aesthetics (continued)

Design Considerations (continued) Team members should provide insight into and direction on these design considerations because they will help guide the architect.

Surfacing An important consideration when discussing materials is the type of surfacing that will be incorporated in the facility. Surfacing in facilities refers to floors, walls, and ceilings.

Surfacing: Indoor Options The surface used in an indoor area should be selected based on the area function and the cost of the surface. The area function refers to the activities that will take place in the area. Typical indoor flooring options are carpet, vinyl surfaces, synthetic surfaces, and hardwood surfaces.

Surfacing: Outdoor Options Outdoor areas also require various surfaces, including natural stage (existing soil and dirt), turf (sod and grass), masonry, concrete, asphalt, and aggregates (gravel, graded stone, and cinders). Typical outdoor spaces can include parks, trails, open spaces, or playing fields.

Lighting Similar to surfacing, a variety of spaces within a facility require lighting. The most important consideration for lighting is the number of foot-candles given off by a light. Larger areas or areas where physical activities take place typically require more illumination than other spaces. Three types of lighting are used in facilities: incandescent, fluorescent, and high density.

Incandescent, Fluorescent, and High Density Lighting

Mechanical Systems All facilities have mechanical systems that contribute to facility use. These systems can be categorized as indoor or outdoor support systems. Indoor support systems include communication systems, HVAC systems, and plumbing installations. (continued)

Mechanical Systems (continued) Some outdoor support systems, such as irrigation and lighting systems, also require specific spaces. Usually architects and engineers provide all necessary details for these areas; however, the design team needs knowledge of the mechanical support systems required for the project.

Aesthetics The appearance, or aesthetics, of the facility is also a discussion topic for the design team. The appearance of a structure depends on the style and feel envisioned by the design team. The nature of the product, in addition to project funding, plays a big part in determining the overall aesthetic design and appeal.

Schematics One of the design options an architect can present is a preliminary mock-up or schematic of the project. The schematic is a graphic or model form that contains the details planned for the project. In this stage, an architect may produce a schematic drawing or model.

Blueprints and Design Documents Design documents are completed by the architect and contain a great deal of general and specific information that is communicated to the contractor. At various times during design, the administrator and the rest of the design team review these design documents to make sure everything is going as planned. These documents are called blueprints.

Demolition or Preparation Blueprints Most projects require some degree of land preparation for construction. The demolition or preparation blueprint represents the design that will lead to removal of existing material and vegetation from the site.

Site Blueprints Site blueprints show how the facility is situated in relation to the entire area where it will be built. They include information about utilities, environmental concerns, zoning ordinances, and land requirements. They identify where the facility will be placed on the site, including existing structures, access roads, sidewalks, landscaping, utility lines, and drainage.

Structural Blueprints The first blueprints to be prepared are the structural prints. They are usually extensive drawings that diagram all rooms, corridors, stairwells, entries, exits, floors, and ceilings. The structural section of blueprints may require many pages to capture the necessary information.

Mechanical Blueprints Mechanical blueprints have separate design information but are almost always integrated with the structural blueprints. Anything that is mechanical in the facility is drawn in detail, including plumbing, heating, air conditioning, ventilation, lighting, and drainage. Engineers often help the architect with the detailed interpretation and application of the technical requirements.

Electrical Blueprints No utility requires greater knowledge and adherence to technical standards to ensure safety than electricity. The project engineer provides the technical expertise required. Everything that requires electricity in order to operate and support the administrative and delivery operations is represented in these blueprints.

Landscape Blueprints Landscape blueprints diagram the details of exterior aspects, such as trees, shrubs, mounding, fences, grass, flowers, and irrigation systems. Details include the type and number of plants, grasses, trees, and other vegetation in addition to how to plant and where to locate these materials.

Other Design Documents Other design documents are not in the form of a blueprint but may be vital to the design of the facility. These documents include information regarding the structural equipment, finishing plan, specifications, and laws, codes, ordinances, and standards.

Structural Equipment Structural equipment is considered part of the facility because it is attached to the facility, and in some cases, the facility could not be what it is designed to be without it. This equipment, such as a sound system or scoreboard, is necessary for the production of the product and is usually integrated into the structural blueprints showing designed locations, hookups, and installation requirements.

Finish Plan Although not an actual blueprint, the finish plan, or schedule, is a design document that cites information for the finishes for all facility areas, including paint colors, types of doors and hardware, floor coverings, ceiling types, light fixtures, sinks, toilets, partitions, and windows. The organization and layout scheme presents information to the contractor, subcontractors, and vendors in a condensed way.

Specifications The specification book, also called the spec book, describes the blueprints in a narrative, descriptive format. Although not always used, these documents provide detailed directions on each item to be used in the project. The spec book provides information for contractors, subcontractors, and vendors and every page is coded in reference to the appropriate blueprint.

Laws, Codes, Ordinances, and Standards All architects must follow laws, codes, ordinances, and standards in the design stage of any project. This information must be incorporated in both blueprints and spec books. Failure to adhere to laws, codes, and local ordinances can cause delays with the timeline or even substantial monetary losses for the agency.

Reading Blueprints Blueprints are road maps that offer formal information about all aspects of the project and diagram how everything should be developed. The architect is responsible for the majority of the blueprint content. The engineer is also involved in preparing the blueprints. An administrator or designated representative, often the facility manager, may be required to interpret the blueprints in order to assist with the project. (continued)

Reading Blueprints (continued) To better understand how to read blueprints, consider the example of an outdoor skate park presented in the textbook. The blueprints consist of two sections of drawings. These sections include the title block, direction indicator, drawing index, scale, drawing title, drawing area, notes, legend, schedules, symbols, keys, and cross section.