Tomball ISD Aquatic Center

Tomball, TX
Construction Cost: $4.22 million
Area / Square Feet: 22,250
Occupancy Date: January 2004

The Tomball ISD Aquatic Center combines three major functional spaces, each possessing its own architectural characteristics. A mostly opaque structure houses the pool and deck, which includes seating areas for both swimmers and spectators. Meanwhile, a distinct public entry pavilion includes a transparent lobby, an office, concessions areas, rest rooms, and circulation for adjacent spectator seating and access to the pool deck. Finally, the staff and student spaces located off the pool deck area include offices, meet management rooms and hospitality facilities, as well as dressing, storage, and mechanical areas.

Overriding architectural themes, which combine large-scale simplicity with small-scale detail, are expressed in three distinct yet complementary masonry colors and green tinted glass in clear anodized aluminum frames for a clean and timeless appearance.

As the largest massing element of the three major spaces, the pool acts as an anchor for the two remaining elements. These smaller, transparent elements are arranged at the front of the facility to present a more humanscaled pedestrian approach.