It’s official; the ribbon was recently cut and the Granger Recreation Center is open. The ceremony featured a fascinating speech by Gayla Granger Kirk, the daughter of Fred Granger, after whom the recreation center was named.
One attendee who was not formally recognized was well-known architect Ron Hobbs, who was the architect for the renovation and who also provided additional background about the building itself:
The Granger Recreation Center is a historically significant building. It was designed in 1961 by Fisher-Jarvis Architects of Dallas. Shortly after the building was completed the firm disbanded and each partner formed their own new architectural firms. Herschel Fisher formed Fisher/Spillman Architects and Donald Jarvis formed Jarvis/Putty/Jarvis Architects (JPJ). Both firms went on to become a highly respected award-winning architectural firms in Dallas.
The original 1961 design for the center was on the cutting edge of architectural design and totally unique for Garland and this region. Its design was influenced by the work of world-renowned architects Eero Saarinen and Mies van der Rohe.
In 1997 the American Institute of Architects recognized the significance of this building by giving it the AIA’s 25 Year Design award. This award is given to architecturally important buildings that are at least 25 years old.
The renovation work focused on respecting the building and the design intent of the original architects by restoring it to its original appearance while at the same time updating to meet the needs of today’s users. Work included such challenges:
- Researching and identifying the 1961 color schemes (which were used)
- Installing (in a manner that did not detract from the building) modern air conditioning in a building that was originally not air-conditioned
- New energy-efficient lighting
- New insulated glass
- Selecting and installing new interior finish materials that would give the building a fresh modern feel while respecting the original materials.
Information and photos provided by District 2 Council Member Deborah Morris.