NATATORIUM
Newton, MA.
The Natatorium addition to a Dutch Colonial Revival home is a swimmer’s respite. Located in the suburbs of Cambridge, the structure for a two lane Olympic-size pool offers a family of swimmers a calm location for exercise and play away from the rush of modern life.
Contrasting from the roof lines of the surrounding vernacular New England homes, the pool addition’s roofline, expressed through a hyperbolic shape, mimics motions of body and water as they move through and around each other. Exposed glulam beams along the ceiling emphasize the roof’s twisting geometry from the interior. The top of each wall has a uniquely sloped condition from which the glulam beams extend from the north and south sides. They converge where the two massings of pool room and changing rooms and mudroom intersect.
Introducing natural light while maintaining privacy and minimizing glare on the water’s surface is achieved through protruding bay windows along the south wall that diffuse direct light by bouncing it off the opaque interior surfaces of the bay windows. Along the north wall, a skylight oriented to the north captures ambient light and illuminates a feature wall.
PLACE EXTERIOR RENDERING HERE
The contrasting climates of the cold winter conditions of MA and the warm and humid conditions of the pool are critical variables in the detailing of the building assembly and present a challenge in sustainably maintaining a constant temperature. A continuous vapor barrier and rigid polyiso insulation are applied to the exterior side of the stud cavity to prevent thermal bridging through the wall and roof structure. Where windows and skylights are located, triple-pane glazing is used, and supply air is provided to prevent condensation. Utilizing a geothermal heat pump, a renewable source, draws heat from the ground and circulates it - limiting the need for mechanically generated heat.