Joy Evans Therapeutic Recreation Center

Recreation for the Whole Spectrum of Ability

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Project Location

Washington, D.C.

Area

37,000 SF

Certifications

Designed to meet LEED Silver BD+C (pending cert.)

Unique Spaces

Natatorium, sensory room, and caregiver space

The District of Columbia’s Department of General Services and Department of Parks and Recreation embarked on a transformative project to revitalize a 1970s facility into a vibrant community hub for Ward 7. More than just a building, the vision was to create a welcoming destination where individuals of all abilities could connect, heal, and thrive.

The result is the 37,000-SF Joy Evans Recreational Therapeutic Center, which harmoniously blends with its environment. This modern facility stands as a symbol of the community it serves, focusing on health and inclusion. Inside, the center features an indoor natatorium with a warm-water therapy pool and spa, a gymnasium, wellness studio, sensory and play therapy rooms, accessible playgrounds, and sensory and community gardens, all interconnected by trails that promote outdoor engagement.

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Integrating Wellness with Nature

The Joy Evans Recreational Therapeutic Center serves as a community anchor, fostering inclusive wellness, social connectivity, and access to nature for individuals of all ages and abilities. By blending architecture and nature, our design is rooted in the belief that wellness begins with connection to oneself and to the natural world.

Integrating Wellness with Nature

Nature & Design

Translating Nature into Architecture

Set within the Anacostia River woodlands, the center uses biophilic principles to translate nature into architecture. Light, form, and material are orchestrated to reduce stress and support mental clarity. Clerestory windows fill interiors with daylight, curved walls and flowing geometries shape intuitive circulation, and textures draw attention to touch and presence. The building's scale, sloping roofs, and wood-clad piers mirror the surrounding ecosystem, creating a space where people can move, gather, and feel restored in a natural extension of the landscape.

One-story rec center building with heavy timber-like columns, large windows, and metal roof; a clerestory runs the length of the building; the building is surrounded by gravel paths winding between flowering native gardens; metal benches sit along the paths

Outdoor view of a contemporary recreation center made of wood, steel, and large windows, surrounded by native plants and manicured landscaping under the light of dusk with scattered clouds reaching across the sky.

Sustainability

Sustainability in a Historic Neighborhood

As with all our designs, sustainability is incorporated into every decision. Native plantings restore habitat and enhance the park's ecological health, while stormwater systems safeguard nearby waterways. Materials are chosen for durability and environmental performance to ensure long-lasting resilience. Energy- and water-efficient systems quietly reduce resource consumption without sacrificing comfort. Every choice reflects care for the neighborhood and future generations who will use the center, establishing a standard for sustainable civic spaces.

Inclusion

Inclusive Design

The center welcomes every visitor with purpose and ease. The single-level building features wide, flowing paths and resting points, offering places to pause along the way. Neuroinclusive spaces provide a range of options for size and privacy, allowing users to find calm, stimulation, or engagement as needed. Sensory gardens and quiet rooms offer safe, restorative moments for reflection and self-regulation. Specialized fitness equipment in the gym enables individuals with mobility aids to engage in strength and conditioning exercises. Children, adults, and seniors of all abilities can move, explore, and participate confidently, knowing the center was designed with them in mind.

Indoor swimming pool with large windows and wooden accents, featuring several people sitting and standing nearby.

tall lobby with a large reception desk on the left, backed by a wall featuring grasses set between wooden slats. An iridescent chandelier hangs from the high ceiling in front of the desk. Two staff members are behind the desk, with one assisting two visitors, one standing and one in a wheelchair with a service dog.

Community

Community Centered

The Joy Evans Recreational Therapeutic Center is a space where the community gathers. Interiors and landscapes invite people outdoors to gardens and trails, promoting exploration and connection. Art, light, and natural materials create subtle moments of delight that spark conversation and curiosity. Every design decision is grounded in community, reinforcing the center's role as a gathering place where people of all ages and abilities can share space, form bonds, and feel a sense of belonging.