Interior daytime view of low rise West Vancouver Aquatic Centre showing pool surface, swimmer, and curved Glue-laminated timber (Glulam) columns arcing up to support Glue-laminated timber (Glulam) roof beams

West Vancouver Aquatic Centre

Location: West Vancouver, B.C.
Architect: hcma
Completion: 2004
Photo credit: Nic Lehoux

Size
3,716 square metres

Construction Manager
DGS Construction

Structural Engineer
Fast + Epp

Wood Supplier
Western Archrib

Structural systems
Low rise
Post + beam
Prefabricated

Project materials
Glue-laminated timber (Glulam)
Millwork

Wood works well in demanding aquatic environments

Wood delivers warmth and beauty—along with thermal, acoustic and environmental benefits—to the renovation and expansion of this popular community aquatic centre.

Outdoor-pool-like experience

The West Vancouver Aquatic Centre provides an outdoor-pool-like experience, with natural lighting, operable glazed overhead doors and mechanically operable vents allowing fresh air to flow naturally through the building. The project combines the refurbishment of an aging aquatic facility with the addition of a leisure pool, accessible hot pool, family change rooms, multi-purpose room, fitness areas and public viewing areas. From the top of the 20-metre waterslide tower, swimmers can take in views of Vancouver’s beautiful harbour and majestic mountain backdrop.

Wood has thermal and acoustic benefits

Custom glulam mullions accommodate overhead doors and solar shading devices. Wood is also present in the glulam beams, purlins and columns that provide long, clear spans over wishbone-shaped columns and support a metal roof on a metal deck. Through careful detailing, connections are virtually invisible and structural lines flow uninterrupted.

Designers selected wood for its ability to withstand the demanding atmosphere of the aquatic centre. Along with thermal and acoustic benefits, it is hygroscopic—constantly exchanging moisture with the surrounding air—which helps to control moisture and balance indoor humidity. As a renewable, non-toxic material with low embodied energy, wood improves the indoor environmental quality of the building and reduces its overall carbon footprint. More than twenty years old, the facility’s exposed wood continues to serve with durability and resilience.

Enhanced accessibility

The facility’s accessibility enhancements attracted international recognition from organizations, including the International Paralympic Committee. It features accessible change rooms and washrooms, weight room and equipment, adjustable height change table, ceiling track lifts in the change room, pool mobility cart, water wheelchairs, zero-depth entry leisure pool with warm temperatures.

“For architects, wood’s intrinsic characteristics of visual warmth, durability and flexibility provide a myriad of imaginative design possibilities to be explored… In this project, it played a key role in humanizing an important community facility.”

DARRYL CONDON, MANAGING PRINCIPAL, HCMA
Exterior daytime view of low rise West Vancouver Aquatic Centre looking through glazed wall panels inward at vertical glue-laminated timber (Glulam) columns supporting glue-laminated timber (Glulam) roof beams

Case study: West Vancouver Aquatic Centre

Learn about the West Vancouver Aquatic Centre.

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