Decisions, Decisions June 11, 2007

I sit on a few nonprofit boards. One is the local YMCA, which is building a new building in downtown Lancaster. We don't talk about fundraising software, fundraising tactics, or nonprofit issues these days, just buildings. We've decided to build a green, LEEDS-certified building, which will have a great, positive impact on the community and the membership. At the same time, membership has pushed for all the features you'd expect--competition pool, full gym, his and hers steam rooms, etc. It's going to be a great place.

Except to accommodate all of those things we have had to build a rectangle. Even with a green roof this isn't very appealing. So the balance is between parking, curvature, and building features.

Sigh. Aesthetics will lose out on this one, but there might be things we can do with the skin--glass, shaped facade, maybe a copula. The nice the facade, the easier it is to market for building membership. Then again, do we really need to invest in a curved exterior? Sigh.