On Richmond’s south side, a bold red roofline rises above the tree canopy, its gables mirroring surrounding homes. This is the TB Smith Community Center—a communal space born from a citywide commitment to deliver essential resources, recreation, and resilience where they’re needed most. The impact is immediate: a place that feels like it belongs, because it’s shaped by the community it belongs to.

The site plan blurs the line between building and park. A basketball court, multipurpose field, splash pad, and accessible playgrounds spill outward like an open invitation, while community gardens greet visitors like a shared front porch. The architecture is designed to the pedestrian scale to act like a good neighbor—approachable and familiar.

Inside, the program balances everyday needs with future flexibility. A teaching kitchen—stocked by the community garden—acts as a classroom for health, cooking, and nutrition. Multipurpose rooms flex for workshops, art classes, or civic meetings. The vaulted gymnasium is wrapped in translucent fiberglass panels to filter daylight across basketball games on the ground floor and walking-track conversations above. Spaces for teens and creative pursuits speak to feedback from neighborhood engagement sessions: activity isn’t always physical—it’s all about connecting.

The center is also equipped for emergency situations. In times of crisis, it transforms into a resiliency center with sleeping quarters, showers, and meals, supported by on-site clinics and public health partners. Designed in line with LEED Gold requirements, it unites sustainability with social infrastructure—serving as a reflection of the neighborhood’s connection, adaptability, and shared future.