AMBERLEIGH PARK
Dublin, Ohio
CHALLENGE
To design a signature shelter structure that serves as both a functional community anchor and visual landmark for Dublin's new northern recreational destination, enhancing the visitor experience through thoughtful engagement with Ohio's indigenous materials and seasonal conditions.
SOLUTION
Our design centered on creating a multifunctional pavilion that celebrates Central Ohio's distinctive landscape character through a rich material palette of stone, wood composites, and steel. Rather than imposing a foreign architectural language, the shelter's form and materiality emerge organically from the site's context, creating a sense of belonging and authenticity.
The shelter's strategic positioning makes it a natural wayfinding element — an orienting device that helps visitors intuitively navigate the park's broader landscape. The structure's careful siting maximizes views while creating protected spaces that support a diverse range of activities from intimate family gatherings to corporate retreats and community celebrations.
A two-sided fireplace serves as both the functional and symbolic heart of the design, extending the shelter's seasonal usefulness while creating a gathering focal point that fosters social connection. This thoughtful amenity transforms the shelter from a mere rain protection into a year-round community living room — a place where meaningful moments unfold against the backdrop of Dublin's natural landscape.
IMPACT
Amberleigh Park's signature shelter has become an essential component of Dublin's expanded recreational network, providing northern residents with equitable access to high-quality community infrastructure. The structure's distinctive design has created a new landmark that strengthens community identity while elevating everyday park experiences.
The shelter's flexible programming capacity supports diverse community needs throughout the seasons, hosting everything from educational workshops to celebratory gatherings. The two-sided fireplace has proven particularly transformative, creating a magnetic draw during cooler months, and expanding the community's relationship with the park beyond traditional fair-weather usage.
