Pools: Aquatic Architecture

Tracing the evolution of Hughes Condon Marler Architects' architectural ideas through the study of eight aquatic projects on a diversity of scales. This collection of projects illustrates the urban value of aggregated amenities facilities in the community centre model. The fundamental elements of natural light, fresh air, and clean water are described both in their value as generators of experience in public pools and in how they are technically executed in architectural design. Projects include a Vancouver 2010 Olympic Venue and its legacy phase as a new community centre, various 50m competitive pools, and several 25m community pools With comprehensive text, plus beautiful images and architectural drawings, the social, technical, and spatial strategies employed in each project are explored, bringing HCMA's expertise in this very specific field of architecture. Having completed more than twelve public Aquatics Centres across Canada in the past decade, Hughes Condon Marler Architects has developed significant architectural expertise in the design of pools without having ever defaulted to a repetitive aesthetic. Pools: Aquatic Architecture traces the evolution of those ideas, beginning at Eileen Dailly Leisure Pool, all the way through to current projects being developed in Surrey, British Columbia. Through orthographic drawings, diagrams, professional photography and editorial text, the strategies employed in each project are clearly illustrated. Editorial direction by Trevor Boddy examines seven completed Aquatics Centres and delves into the design process of one building that is currently under development, in order to bring to light the origin and evolution of ideas that have become HCMA's architectural ethos.