Newark Housing Authority | Training Recreation Education Center
Newark Housing Authority | Training Recreation Education Center
Ikon.5 Architects
YEAR
2016
LOCATION
Newark, NJ, United States
TYPE
Educational › Other
The Training Recreation Education Center (TREC) is a 22,000 square foot recreation and education community center in the residential neighborhood boarding the Olmsted-designed Weequahic Park in the south ward of Newark, New Jersey.
Newark Housing Authority intends to provide both recreational and educational services to this struggling urban community with this multi-functioning facility.
Inspired by the geometric collision of the city’s urban grid adjacent to the Park, the building’s form is two interlocking triangles each representing a portion of the city at the shift in the grid around the park.
The result is an iconic building formed by two triangular wedges next to each other. One wedge is open and transparent at the meetings and classrooms and addresses the public street.
The other wedge is solid and opaque at the gymnasium and recreation functions.
The exterior white and glassy façade contrasts with the deteriorating urban context.
This iconic recreation community center is a bright beacon within the adjacent community and public housing projects
The facility houses a gymnasium, fitness and aerobic rooms, yoga and dance studios, classrooms, open technology commons, a child care center, a teaching kitchen and community meeting rooms.
