VB Parks + Recreation

Virginia Beach Parks + Recreation Department’s mission is to promote healthy lifestyles, protect the local coastal environment, and provide access to quality programs for all residents, regardless of physical, social, and economic circumstances. The goals of the new building are to provide a healthier work environment, align with the City’s commitment to a sustainable future, and provide the community with improved access to city programs. The Department, previously housed in multiple buildings, was consolidated into one new building. The new building’s location is amidst a multitude of sports fields, trails, cultural, educational, and health facilities, a clear embodiment of the Department’s mission. Having all staff in one location improves intra-department communication, reduces travel for meetings, and creates an interface for locals to engage with the multitude of services. The natural setting resulted in a building with bays that reach into the site like fingers, preserving mature trees, providing areas for gardens and outdoor activities, increasing viewing angles to the site, and introducing daylight into the core of the building. The siting, form, architectural design, and systems design all work in tandem to deeply connect the building to the landscape and its place in the heart of the city.