Griffin served as construction manager for the $11 million upgrade of the Carlsbad Pine Avenue Community Center & Gardens, located adjacent to the Carlsbad Senior Center and  Pine Avenue Park. The site, formerly a parking lot for the senior center, was designed to complement the existing center and encourage inter-generational connectivity.

This new two-story, multi-generational project was comprised of two primary components: (1) an 18,000 square foot two-story community center with related site improvements and (2) an ornamental and community garden. The entire project was designed to strengthen community connectivity, promote health and wellness, and foster sustainability.

The first floor includes a history wall featuring photos of the area and its celebrations. The multi-purpose gymnasium with a hardwood court striped for regulation high school basketball, volleyball, badminton, and pickleball also includes a scoreboard. A low climbing wall spans one side of the gym. The second floor features meeting and activity rooms, a teen center, homework room, classroom, computer lab, and covered terrace. Rooftop photovoltaic panels provide approximately one-third of the building’s power.

Outdoor highlights include an “ornamental” garden with a community plaza, shade structure, drought tolerant plants, picnic areas, artwork, a water feature, and seating. Each wooden raised bed has its own watering source and can be leased to residents for growing flowers and vegetables. The new parking lot features a pervious pavement filtration system that filters rain and runoff before it percolates into the ground.

Check out the grand opening day video by two Carlsbad High School students: