AISJ Aquatic Center

AISJ Aquatic Center
© Stephen O'Raw

AISJ AQUATIC CENTER

 Flansburgh Architects

ARCHITECTS
Flansburgh Architects

LOCATION
Johannesburg, South Africa

CATEGORY
Swimming Pool

AREA
15000.0 ft2

PROJECT YEAR
2012

PHOTOGRAPHS
Stephen O'Raw

MANUFACTURERS
Acor

ARCHITECT OF RECORD
GLH & Associates

PROJECT MANAGER
J M Henrey & Associates

QUANTITY SURVEYOR
TMS Group

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Uys and White

DESIGN FIRM
David Croteau

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
WSP Consulting Engineers

CONSTRUCTION COST
$1,500,000

POOL EQUIPMENT SPECIALIST
Martin Te Groen MTG Consult

QUANTITY SURVEYOR
TMS Group

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
Taemane Consulting Ltd.

DESIGN CHALLENGES

The challenge was to create an economic covering for a state of the art pool. Johannesburg sits on a plateau known as the “highveld,” 5,000 feet above sea level, with earth rich in iron ore, causing frequent lightning strikes.

AISJ Aquatic Center
© Stephen O'Raw
AISJ Aquatic Center
© Stephen O'Raw

Although the climate is temperate, night-time temperatures can drop significantly.The new pool was required to be both covered and heated.

SITE DESCRIPTION

A 58 acre campus located on the northern edge of the greater Johannesburg area, formerly a horse farm, which is reflected in both the architecture of the original buildings and the rural nature of the campus.

AISJ Aquatic Center
© Stephen O'Raw
AISJ Aquatic Center
© Stephen O'Raw

DESIGN SOLUTIONS

Tubular steel framing system minimizes the depth of the steel and incorporates lateral bracing seamlessly into the span.

The criss-cross pattern recalls the geometric patterns of native African beadwork and basket weaving.In this way, elegance is brought to something basic.

AISJ Aquatic Center
© Stephen O'Raw
AISJ Aquatic Center
© Stephen O'Raw

Operable louvers modulate daylight and provide protection from the rain. Staggered, corrugated acrylic skylights of a standard panel width create a dramatic, cost-effective solution.

Fabric panels at each end of the structure modulate the air flow, preventing a wind tunnel effect. The combination of fabric panels, acrylic skylights, and louvers minimize glare, creating a gentle dappled light.

AISJ Aquatic Center
© Stephen O'Raw
AISJ Aquatic Center
© Stephen O'Raw

The simple palette of white and light gray combined with local stone at the entry simulates an outdoor environment.


AISJ Aquatic Center
Floor Plan


AISJ Aquatic Center
Elevation


AISJ Aquatic Center
Section Diagrams
AISJ Aquatic Center
Details


AISJ Aquatic Center
Exploded Axonometric
AISJ Aquatic Center
Materials Diagram


AISJ Aquatic Center
Site Plan