Pleasant City Community Center
West Palm Beach, FL
CIVIC
"A community center is where architecture becomes voice—where every corner, material, and beam speaks to who we are, who we’ve been, and who we hope to become together."
At AHA, our redesign of the Pleasant City Community Center was guided by the principles of “play, learn, and community.” From the outset, we engaged directly with residents to understand their needs and aspirations. One of the clearest takeaways was the community’s desire for a gymnasium—a space to gather, move, and celebrate. In response, we designed a flexible, light-filled gym with movable partitions and bleachers, capable of hosting everything from sports to performances. A curved entrance wall and reimagined lobby welcome visitors into the heart of the building, setting the tone for a safe, inclusive, and joyful community experience.
To support learning and creativity, we incorporated a new STEAM-centered infrastructure, featuring upgraded computer labs, high-speed internet, and multipurpose rooms that adapt to a variety of programming needs. A full commercial kitchen supports cooking classes and garden-to-table education, while wall surfaces throughout the center were designed to host rotating community art and murals. The result is a dynamic, multigenerational space that honors the legacy of Pleasant City while empowering its future—where recreation, education, and neighborhood pride come together under one roof.
