Penobscot Bay YMCA

Rockport, Maine | 62,000 SF

Can you develop a full program YMCA without it being seen? This multi-community YMCA is sited in an open field bordering historic Rockport Village and Coastal Heritage Trust property; the preservation of open space and view corridors were critical from concept design through construction. The large gymnasium and natatorium volumes are set into sloping grades, minimizing the facility’s scale and visual impact, creating inward-focused spaces enhanced with skylit corridors and glass walls to allow expansive interior views and shared daylighting. These connections highlight activity areas and encourage members to explore the numerous programs offered in the facility while simultaneously reducing staffing needs.