National City Aquatic Center in California by Safdie Rabines Architects

Article source: Safdie Rabines Architects

Positioned on the southern edge of the 5½-acre Pepper Park at the mouth of the Sweetwater River Channel, this single-story, two-structure aquatic center was designed to facilitate recreational and educational services for the community. Replacing a makeshift facility housed in trailers for over a decade, the center serves as a beacon that marks the channel entry while capitalizing upon its unobstructed views towards protected wetlands, San Diego Bay and beyond. A large community gathering and activity space is located in the easternmost structure under a faceted, flying roof. Perched atop a base of clear glass walls, the roof appears to glide kite-like into the sky creating a fluid dynamic for its larger counterpart to the west. Across an open-air walkway, offices are contained in a box comprised of 4’ intermittently operable windows. Like the bridge of a ship, the box also serves as a lookout, its clear glass walls enabling observation of activities taking place on the water and the center’s surroundings. To the west, an angular concrete block structure floats behind like a barge, and contains boat and equipment storage, restrooms and locker rooms. Separate yet unified, the buildings are secured and coalesced with custom galvanized steel gates accented and brushed acrylic panels.

Image Courtesy © Safdie Rabines Architects

• Architects: Safdie Rabines Architects
• Project: National City Aquatic Center
• Location: National City, California, USA

Image Courtesy © Safdie Rabines Architects

Image Courtesy © Safdie Rabines Architects

Image Courtesy © Safdie Rabines Architects

Tags: California, USA

Category: Aquatic Centre

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