Lemay's clever design creates a sleek but efficient aquatics centre
by Stu Robarts | 17 Feb 2020
– Pierre E. Leclerc
Lemay's "judicious" design for an aquatics centre in Canada ensures it is not only sleek and sympathetic to its context, but that it uses energy-saving measures to moderate its running costs.
The Beloeil Aquatics Centre was completed last year with little in the way of fanfare, but it shows that attractive and intelligent design can be delivered on a modest budget.
The CAD$16.5m (US$12.5m, €11.5m, £9.5m), 55,000sq ft (5,100sq m) facility not only considers its pastoral location but makes use of a number of elements for efficient operation.
It comprises a translucent upper portion set on a solid black base, referencing the contrast between the surrounding agricultural lands and the brightness of the sky.
The translucency of the upper portion provides a visual connection between the interior and the exterior of the building, creates a signature glow when the centre is illuminated at night and allows natural light to flood in during the day.
This is one of a number of energy-saving measures that are said to save CAD$150,000 (US$113,000, €105,000, £87,000) and 750 tons (680 tonnes) of CO2 a year.
The centre is orientated to optimise exposure to sunlight, again helping to light its interior naturally, but also helping to provide heat.
Elsewhere, water is treated using microfilter ceramics and UV dechlorination, mechanical systems use geothermal energy and a rain recovery system allows greywater to be reused.
“Our goal was to maximize delicate and nuanced design strategies to make the most of this community-building opportunity," said Pierre E. Leclerc, associate at Lemay and project director.
The facility houses a semi-Olympic size pool with viewing bleachers, a recreational pool, a beach, a children's wading pool with a slide, a sauna and changing rooms with family areas.
Lemay aquatics centre Canada
The interior of the centre is flooded with natural light Credit: David Boyer
Water is treated using microfilter ceramics and UV dechlorination and mechanical systems use geothermal energy Credit: David Boyer
The competition pool features bleacher seating Credit: David Boyer
The centre cost just CAD$16.5m (US$12.5m, €11.5m, £9.5m) Credit: David Boyer
Its translucent upper portion glows when it is illuminated at night Credit: David Boyer
The translucent upper portion and solid black base reference the surrounding agricultural lands and the sky Credit: David Boyer
The centre covers an area of 55,000sq ft (5,100sq m) Credit: David Boyer
Energy-saving measures are said to save CAD$150,000 (US$113,000, €105,000, £87,000) and 750 tons (680 tonnes) of CO2 a year Credit: David Boyer
Lemay 's "judicious" design for an aquatics centre in Canada ensures it is not only sleek and sympathetic to its context, but that it uses energy-saving measures to moderate its running costs. The Beloeil Aquatics Centre was completed last year with little in the way of fanfare, but it shows that attractive and intelligent design can be delivered on a modest budget. The CAD$16.5m (US$12.5m, €11.5m, £9.5m), 55,000sq ft (5,100sq
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