Proffitt & Associates Architects was awarded this project by the City of Gaithersburg in February 2003 to design a new approximately 7,400 square foot youth center to serve residents of the west side of Gaithersburg. This new center will be located at an existing City of Gaithersburg recreation park taking advantage of existing athletic fields, concession stand and parking at Robertson Park. Upon completion, the facility will include activity rooms, arts and crafts room, computer and study area, kitchen, lockers and staff areas. This project will be designed for LEED Certification.

The new building will be constructed of brick and block veneers (splitface base, standard brick middle, and groundface band at higher portion of building). Bearing walls will be constructed of 6” wood studs at 16” o/c with wood trusses doubled up at 4’-0” o/c. Note: All wood used in this project shall be FSC Certified wood (wood forested from properly monitored forests). The trusses are to bear on the exterior walls and at the two corridor walls in the clerestory area, and at one central bearing wall in other locations. Sheathing shall be plywood with a tyvek wrap over the sheathing. Insulation within the stud walls shall be recycled cotton, with an R-19.

The building interior will be constructed in a similar manner to youth centers and other similar institutional buildings, but finishes will be recycled materials, low emitting VOC’s, etc, to meet our LEED goals.