Imagine preparing to build a new city hall or community gathering space. How do you create a place that reflects the community’s identity, meets the needs of its people and fits seamlessly into what already exists? Every design decision shapes how residents will experience their city for years to come. So, how do design teams and city leaders work together to bring that vision to life and take on the rewarding challenge of shaping the heart of a community?
DESIGN GOALS
Buildings and landscapes can immensely influence a community and act as a manifestation of the city’s culture and history. Community spaces can foster a strong sense of belonging among residents, bringing people together, instilling local pride and becoming a staple of the city’s identity.
It’s essential that each city or town has an area or center where the community can gather. Because each community is unique, it’s important that these areas reflect that.
In Chamblee, Georgia, residents lacked a space like this, having no established downtown or heart of the city. Recognizing the need, especially as they grew, city leaders partnered with GMC to envision a vibrant city center anchored by a newly designed city hall.
The team also recognized the value of municipal spaces and buildings beyond a venue for gathering; they present opportunities to boost the local economy and reinvigorate a community. That was the vision for Chamblee.
“These spaces can serve as catalysts for public life, far beyond just places to pay bills or get permits. By incorporating amenities like open lawns, local businesses and scenic overlooks, they become more than functional, they become community assets that support both economic development and everyday connection.” Amy Bell, GMC Vice President of Georgia Architecture, said.
DESIGN STRATEGY
When thinking about the design for a municipal center, it’s important to consider the specific needs of the community, as these will be unique to each one. Designers must first listen to the community and its citizens to understand their wants and needs.
Chamblee wanted a space that truly reflected its diverse and multicultural community. Partnering closely with city leadership, GMC worked to design a city hall and surrounding community space that honored the city’s authentic identity while meeting the needs of multiple generations.
To do this, the design team prioritized public engagement, listening to both leaders and local residents to better understand what made Chamblee unique. By giving the community a voice, architects and designers hear firsthand what makes the community feel like home.
In Chamblee’s case, they wanted to honor their history while also celebrating their bright future. The design team saw an opportunity to reflect both facets by combining modern and traditional elements in one seamless and attractive design. By mixing steel and raw materials with modern elements throughout the building’s design, they were able to bring the community’s requests together in harmony.
COMMUNITY VALUES
Community identity is important to recognize and seek to understand from day one. This is the intangible feeling a city naturally evokes; something unique to each community that cannot simply be created or duplicated. Designers build on this existing identity, creating spaces that are authentic and fit naturally with the community’s character.
“The actual feeling of city identity is intangible.” GMC Landscape Architect Matt Mitchell said. “We don’t create it. We encourage and reinforce it.”
In Mobile, Alabama, the city needed a new arena to host concerts, sporting events and perhaps most notably, its beloved Mardi Gras traditions. Mardi Gras is integral to the City of Mobile’s identity, and the arena needed to reflect and support this facet of its culture.
“Because the work we do often defines cityscapes, architects have an inherent responsibility to understand each city’s cultural and regional comforts,” GMC architect and project manager Keith Parker said. “The upcoming Mobile Arena will encapsulate many of these regional elements, establishing a vibrant entertainment hub for the area that will host a diverse range of events. Furthermore, it will stand out as the only arena designed with Mardi Gras as a central theme, making it distinct to the region. The design represents a blend of cherished local traditions and cutting-edge technology, ensuring that it resonates with what the community values while accommodating modern, state-of-the-art events.”
In Fayetteville, Georgia, the community wanted to embrace recreation and encourage active living. Recreational amenities are key in fostering healthy communities, from parks and greenspaces, to trails, sports complexes and athletic fields.
The design team placed emphasis on this when creating the new city hall, designing a space that also functions as a park and gathering space for residents and visitors, along with a venue for community events.
Since its completion, the surrounding area is now bustling with activity, with mixed-use development including a brewpub, event center, multifamily living and more. The community’s desire for recreational space led to parks, trails and athletic fields that promote a healthy, active lifestyle and demonstrate the community’s commitment to improving quality of life for its residents.
In the case of Chamblee, there has been so much growth since completion of the new city hall, with additional considerations to the community’s values and culture. With phase two underway, the city is expanding the space to feature a permanent stage, a larger green lawn and a beer garden, creating even more room for concerts, block parties and local events. This type of programming will increase city unity and economic activity in the area, taking what started as an idea for a bustling community center to reality.
Whether developing downtown city centers and city halls, to event spaces or new arenas, the goal is always to help communities achieve their vision and set them up for success as they continue to grow. When spaces are thoughtfully designed with intentionality and a focus on the communities they serve, they have the power to bring the heart of the city to life.