CULTURAL

Cleveland Metroparks
Edgewater Beach House

Inspired by the ideas of emergence and intertwining, Edgewater Beach House is uniquely anchored by program, site, and urban context. The new community structure celebrates how significant civic architecture can be achieved on a modest budget and actively uplift and serve the public.
—Always By Design

While the Beach House’s program and budget implied a simple utilitarian facility, the client’s project brief aspired for an iconic regional destination. To achieve this goal, it was vital to maximize every aspect of the project while ensuring buy-in across diverse constituent groups. Consensus was built through a rigorous process of public and stakeholder meetings, and the online user engagement and input tools, resulting in over 3000 patrons providing feedback and input during design.

Sited to link urban realm, park, and Lake Erie, the 14,700 SF, two-story Beach House contains essential functions such as locker rooms, concessions, a large commercial kitchen, and other support spaces. Functional requirements are efficiently resolved by locating storage and utility rooms below the pedestrian ramp and utilizing second-floor columns as MEP chases.

Both site and building design incorporated resilient design principles to mitigate sand migration and to withstand future extreme weather events. Site functions include a pedestrian bridge with an existing tunnel that creates a direct connection to the adjacent neighborhood. Other site amenities comprise of a “bosque” picnic seating area, new public plaza, foot wash showers, and a plaza that can function as a stage for special events.

The centerpiece of the Beach House is the second level’s airy community living room featuring a double-sided fireplace, seasonal bar, and panoramic views of the beach, lake, and downtown Cleveland.

The design concept is made manifest through a dynamic roof form that gives the appearance of motion, yet held fast by the anchoring of stone and masonry walls. The base emerges out of the landscape and intertwines with the pedestrian bridge, creating a new direct connection to the neighborhood while forming a visual icon seen from afar.