Experiencing the results of a successful project is one of the most rewarding aspects of the work we do. To witness how people enjoy and utilize a space brings to light the results of the collaborative effort of the design team.
Dougherty Architects designed the new Ponderosa Family Resource Center located in Anaheim. The center is packed full of state-of-the art amenities and replaces a tired 1980s facility. It is one of three family resource facilities utilized by young and old, offering hobby and exercise classes, a venue to hold community meetings and get help with homework, job searches, a spacious gymnasium and even a full kitchen. OC Register notes “The city sought input from the neighborhood in designing the center, which led officials to add a demonstration kitchen for classes and to leave a bare wall in the courtyard where movies can be shown on family nights.”
The mission stated for Anaheim’s facilities is to “provide family friendly facilities where local residents and public and private organizations come together to plan and provide services that promote and support the safety, stability and healthy development of Anaheim families.” The new center certainly fulfills the city’s mission for its citizens.
KNA’s Project Manager Kevin Westervelt attended an open house earlier this year. Hundreds of kids and their families embraced the spacious, airy center. Located adjacent to Ponderosa Elementary, on day-one of the facility’s opening, kids ran from school after the final bell to the center to play, study and be with friends.
It is exciting to see the completed project during the open house event where so many people were smiling and enjoying use of the facility.
—Kevin Westervelt, S.E., Principal
Structural Design Elements
- Concrete Masonry Shear Walls with Special Moment Frames in lobby.
- Front lobby area consists of a tall glass curtain wall and clerestory features.
- Gymnasium constructed of concrete masonry materials that stop below clerestory windows which occur around the perimeter of the building.
- Steel trusses brace the roof structure against seismic earthquake forces by providing connections to the masonry walls below.
- Meets LEED Silver criteria.
KNA Services Provided
Preliminary Design
Structural Analysis
Construction Documents
Equipment Support and Anchorage
Sustainable Design / LEED
Plan Approvals
Quality Assurance Review
Construction Administration
Value Engineering
Project Details
Owner: City of Anaheim
Location: Anaheim, California
Architect: Dougherty Architects
Architect of Record: Betsy Dougherty
KNA Project Manager / Engineer: Kevin Westervelt
Project Size: 18,000 SF
Project Cost: $16M total project cost, including skate park, playground and outdoor plaza