Whittier Aquatic Center
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ARCHITECTURAL TEAM | John Sparano, Anne Mooney, Ludwing Juarez, Nate King
The Whittier Aquatic Center is located on a 2.2-acre site in the heart of the Los Nietos neighborhood in unincorporated Los Angeles County and adjacent to Whittier High School. The project includes a 50 meter x 25 yard competition pool and a 25 meter x 25 yard activity pool. The pool deck includes 25,000 square feet of usable space and incorporates bleacher seating with a capacity for 550 spectators. A park element was integral to the design, offering a direct relationship to the landscape in order to enhance the neighborhood east of the site and to provide a visual and acoustic buffer between the pool deck and the adjacent residences.
A small plaza with built-in seating is provided in front of the pool building for queuing when the pool is at maximum capacity and for pick-up and drop-off coordination. The 12,000 square-foot bathhouse carefully considers site circulation and pool deck visibility using a simple linear form. A large lobby can be completely opened up when desired to allow for ease of movement of visitors and guests during large swim meets. A continuous louvered band of clerestory windows is provided along the public spaces of the program to provide natural light throughout the interior.
