The Marpole Community Centre is a new recreation space designed for Vancouver’s Marpole neighbourhood. Situated in Oak Park, the building will replace a well-loved facility which the community has outgrown. The 5,000 m² community centre will include a gymnasium, fitness centre, field house, multi-purpose rooms, and a 74-space childcare facility.

The centre aims to serve a diverse community upholding best practices around inclusion, equity, and cultural representation. Consultation with the Indigenous community has informed the design, incorporating artwork and cultural elements that reflect and honour the Host Nations.

Mass timber construction is a defining feature of the centre, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere while reducing the building’s environmental impact. Inside, the design embraces a nature-inspired colour palette, reflecting seasonal changes and incorporating a rich variety of textures. Ensuring that the facility is welcoming and accessible for all, the project minimizes elevation changes, replacing unnecessary stairs with ramps and pathways.

The exterior features an optimized window-to-wall ratio with orderly punched windows and a shingled cladding system, which enhances both durability and aesthetic. Three gently curving roofs help soften the building’s appearance, preventing it from feeling institutional while evoking natural forms that create a sense of invitation and generosity.

Sustainability is a guiding principle of the project, and it is in alignment with the City of Vancouver’s Climate Emergency Plan. The Community Centre is targeting Passive House and LEED Gold certifications, as well as a 40% reduction in embodied carbon. The project also serves as a pilot for the City’s Embodied Carbon Guidelines (ECGs), refining carbon reduction strategies and sharing lessons learned with future projects.

Designed to be one of the City of Vancouver’s most inclusive and environmentally responsible community facilities, the Marpole Community Centre exemplifies innovation in accessibility, sustainability, and Indigenous representation, creating a vibrant, welcoming space for all.