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Teen Center Plans Excite Council Members
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The Riverbank Teen Center design drew rave reviews from the City Council at its formal presentation Monday and council members readily gave approval for the architects to proceed with preparing construction documents.

Working with a committee of local teens, Indigo Hammond & Playle Architects of Davis are designing an innovative, energy-efficient building of 2,600 square feet to be located on the park lawn on the west side of the Community Center at Santa Fe and Sixth streets.

The cost is estimated at $1,048,000. The city has received a $251,00 state grant with the remainder of funds due from park development funds, redevelopment funds and community donations. The match requirement for the grant requires $35,000 from the community of which the teens have raised $15,000 to date.

Experienced in teen center design, the architects are known for raising buildings that fit with the climate and environment and conserve energy. John Hammond noted the large windows on the north and south sides, with shading overhangs to keep out a high southern sun, straw bale walls which provide excellent heat insulation, extensive use of skylights for natural light and other factors.

"This is a beautiful building and clever. Did our kids do this?" asked Councilmember Sandra Benitez. While applauding the design, she asked if it was possible to incorporate solar energy panels in the design to gain further savings on heating and cooling costs. Hammond said he would look into this suggestion.