Redmond Senior & Community Center
City of Redmond
The Redmond Senior & Community Center is designed to promote health, well-being and community connection. Located on Redmond’s Municipal Campus and along the Sammamish River Trail, the center replaces the former Senior Center with a new community and recreation space that brings together people of all generations while providing dedicated areas for seniors.
Size: 52,000 sf
Location: Redmond, WA
Stats: Pursuing LEED Gold
Associate Architect: Johnston Architects
At the heart of the center’s design is the thoughtful balance between senior-focused amenities and spaces that foster cross-generational interaction. Dedicated areas, such as the senior lounge, coffee bar, library and adjoining outdoor terrace, offer a welcoming environment for Redmond’s seniors.
Shared spaces like the divisible community room—designed to accommodate events of various sizes, from the weekday senior lunch program to performances seating up to 360 visitors—provide opportunities for all members of the community to come together. The cultural kitchen, public art installations throughout the building and rotating community art gallery celebrate Redmond’s culture, history and identity.
The recreation wing provides activities for all ages and abilities, promoting both wellness and social interaction.
The elevated walk/jog track encourages low-impact exercise, while the multipurpose gym accommodates various sports and all-ages classes, including pickleball and basketball. Visitors can enjoy the dedicated stretching area, cardio/weight loft and group exercise studio, which offers classes like yoga, Zumba and dance. Large windows flood the recreation wing with natural light, creating an inviting, energizing atmosphere that reinforces the building’s connection to the natural environment.
The Center’s Kid Zone provides a safe, fun space for play, with protected views out to the preserved heritage tree.
Sustainability plays a central role in the design and operation of the Redmond Senior & Community Center, aligning with the City’s Climate Emergency Declaration goals. The building is designed to achieve LEED Gold certification and incorporates innovative sustainability practices, including the use of Mass Plywood Panels (MPP) sourced from climate-resilient forests in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The center’s use of MPP earned a LEED innovation point from the U.S. Green Building Council—the first ever awarded for using climate-resilient wood. This highly efficient mass timber building is estimated to provide a carbon benefit equivalent to taking 286 cars off the road annually or powering 143 homes for a year.
In addition to climate-resilient wood, the all-electric center is designed to achieve a projected 56.2% energy cost savings. The expansive rooftop photovoltaic array generates renewable energy, significantly reducing the building’s carbon footprint. Designed for grid optimization and long-term energy efficiency, the Redmond Senior & Community Center serves as a model for sustainable design while prioritizing the health and well-being of the community. Here, Redmond’s residents can come together in a space that fosters connection, promotes wellness and celebrates the city’s vibrant culture and natural beauty.
