Brick renovated and breathed light into the Hilltop Family YMCA in Richmond, CA.
Designed in the 1980s, the Richmond YMCA had not aged well and had outgrown its original design; the most desirable programs had become trapped in cramped, dark parts of the building.
Wonderful canyon views were left disconnected from much of the facility and the arrival sequence was uninviting. A palette of dated colors and materials contributed to a heavy-handed image and a facility that showed signs of its age in all the wrong ways.
reinvent the Y’s image; increase memberships
Using a system of priorities driven by membership generation potential, brick reconsidered the program distribution in the building and suggested a number of space re-allocations so that each program space was placed in the appropriate area of the facility to increase space, visual impact, and to take advantage of the beautiful canyon views. The end result was a fundamental reinvention of the facility’s image and an immediate increase in memberships.
Brick helped the YMCA determine the most profitable activities and discover untapped potential, maximizing existing spaces and creating social spaces to foster community. The YMCA now has a new and inviting public face and patrons enjoy a clean and efficient facility filled with natural light and fresh air.
