Smith Aquatic & Fitness Center
Charlottesville, Va.
Year in Showcase: 2011
Project Description
Situated on the campus of Buford Middle School as part of a recreation complex that includes an adjacent Boys & Girls Club, the LEED Platinum Smith Aquatic & Fitness Center won praise for a simple rectangular plan enhanced by judicious selection of materials — to cite one notable example, blue-colored glass tile and raised aluminum signage on the two-story east wall of the natatorium. The center "does all the right things," said one judge. "It's simple, monolithic in form but softened with the right materials and detail."
In order to minimize the environmental exposure of the building, the facility was constructed into the hillside with the main entrance on the upper level and the locker rooms and natatorium on the lower level. The exterior design utilized thermally modified wood louvers, corrugated metal panels and strip aluminum storefront window systems in an effort to animate the large box of otherwise monolithic white ground-face block.
Care was taken to analyze solar modeling data to ensure best placement and treatment of window systems to maximize natural lighting while minimizing direct glare and solar gain. The natatorium thus strategically allows natural daylighting from many different orientations — high windows on the east side, low windows on the west and a north-facing clerestory — while restricting glare on the water surface. Vertical and horizontal aluminum airfoils were used to restrict direct sunlight into the natatorium. According to one judge, the project was "a great exercise in the control of daylighting and the detailing of the exterior materials."
Judges' Comments
Close attention to appropriately controlled natural lighting and views, coupled with sensitive interplay of durable materials inside and out, creates a handsome facility that successfully breaks open the economical box structure.
— Mark Bodien
The adage "less is more" certainly applies here. Both the inside and outside of the building have been carefully designed and skillfully detailed. It is also notable for its integration of significant sustainable design strategies.
— Darryl Condon
Both the exterior skin, comprised of cost-effective materials, and the interior colors and materials were eloquently used to create a modern feel to this facility. The dynamic use of blue tile on what would be an otherwise bland end wall of the natatorium is very successful.
— Erik Kocher
Project Details
Architect Of Record: Bargmann Hendrie + Archetype Inc.; Boston, Mass.
Associate Architect: Train & Partners; Charlottesville, Va.
Funded By: Public funds
Major Facility Components: Leisure pool, competition pool, fitness center, multipurpose room, wet classroom, offices, locker rooms, family changing rooms, spectator viewing area
Construction Cost: $8.25 million
Square Feet: 27,290
Occupancy: September 2010
Vendors
Chemical Control Systems: Siemens Water Technologies
Cleaners/Vacuums:
Spectrum Aquatics
Deck/Basin Surface: Dal-Tile Corp.
Deck/Basin Surface: Diamondbrite
Deck/Basin Surface: Southern Grout And Mortar
Dehumidifiers: Munters Commercial Dehumidification
Diving Boards:
Spectrum Aquatics
Filtration Systems: Neptune-Benson Inc.
Flooring: Dal-Tile Corp.
Flooring: Mats Inc.
Flooring, Fitness Center: Mats Inc.
Gutters: Neptune-Benson Inc.
Heaters: Lochinvar Corp.
Ladders/Grab Bars: Neptune-Benson Inc.
Ladders/Grab Bars:
Paragon Aquatics, Div. of Pentair
Lane Markers:
Recreonics Inc.
Lighting: Spi Lighting, Echo Series Pendants
Lockers: Bradley Corp.
Lockers: Lenox Locker Co. Inc.
Sanitization Systems: Siemens Water Technologies
Scoreboard/Timing Systems: Colorado Time Systems
Shower/Toilet Partitions: Bradley Corp.
Shower/Toilet Partitions: Mills
Starting Blocks:
Paragon Aquatics, Div. of Pentair
Water Play Features: Empex Water Toys
Water Play Features: Usa Slide
