natatorium

[partner: joss kiely]

a folded module and wires work in tandem to produce a rigid surface. subtle manipulations of this module result in dramatic enclosures.

a continued exploration of the module produces a structural stress skin panel system that sandwiches modules of changing proportions between two membranes, streamlining the building envelope while retaining the sculptural nature of the system.

the outer layer of the panel system ranges from translucent to opaque, allowing light to play across the interior and providing varying degrees of privacy.

the thickness of the wall section changes over the span of the main swimming area, maximizing structural efficiency.

sited at the edge of downtown cincinnati, the natatorium squares off against the uneven pull of the highway.

accordingly, the multiplicity of paths within the natatorium come together and pull apart as swimmers, spectators, and cars make their way across the site.

circulation pivots at a multi-story ramp that links the complex in plan and section, connecting a dynamic series of volumes.