DeKalb County Central Senior Center
An intergenerational hub for life-long learning.
The DeKalb County Central Senior Center is located within an area defined as a “lifelong learning community” based on its population, levels of activity and engagement, and desired resources. Located a mile from Emory University and nestled within a first generation suburb, the population includes a diverse mix of longtime residents and newer young families.
We began by identifying an optimal location for the facility inside Mason Mill Park, positioning the new facility to connect literally and metaphorically by locating it adjacent to an existing community facility but also by opening it up to a set of recently renovated children’s playgrounds. Our team consciously sought to fulfill the County’s mandate that the building be central to community life, not be isolated, and to facilitate a more open relationship between generations of users.
Based on a broad engagement with the local community through open meetings, presentations, and regular conversations, we began to understand future users wanted an ability to reconfigure spaces and classrooms themselves. Because the Center operates as a type of club, with paid memberships, spaces for instruction and gathering have to provide a high degree of flexibility, as programming content rotates every 2-3 months.
Internally, we sought to help amplify portions of the building that encouraged physical movement and activity, including a main entry stair that is visible immediately upon entering, while downplaying the location of a required elevator. These active movement places also encourage social interaction. Key program features include a large multipurpose dining hall, catering kitchen, café, and numerous classrooms, with a dedicated arts classroom that includes a clay kiln. Additional classrooms provide generous openings to allow interaction with the street and surrounding sidewalks.
The Center was completed through a design/build partnership with Hogan Construction, with design and construction being completed within 15 months.
Client
DeKalb County Central Senior Center
Location
Decatur, Georgia
Status
Completed
Size
16,700 SF
Project Team
Gregory Walker, Amy Leathers, Ryan Coleman
Collaborators
Foresite Group, Johnson Spellman Associates, TSAV, ACES, CORE Atlanta
Tags
Cultural, Civic


Internally, users are encouraged to keep active with bright, attractive stairs in highly visible locations. Views across each space are oriented such that they terminate in glazed walls, extending the view of the user back out into the community. Areas of daily contact and high touch were provided custom details and fittings as appropriate.





A large gathering and performance space faces onto the existing playground and park space, providing connections inside and out.
At the interior, bursts of strong color help provide orientation to each room or area.
Areas of daily contact and high touch were provided custom details and fittings as appropriate.


