Introduction:
The Robson & Lindley Aquatics Center, housing the Barr-McMillion Natatorium, replaced a functionally obsolete facility with modern amenities and increased space to enhance training, give student-athletes greater flexibility to balance practice and academic schedules and improve recruiting. The facility’s enhanced quality also makes SMU an ideal site for competitions such as NCAA championship meets. It has already hosted the American Athletic Conference championships in 2018 and many events by community groups.
Amenities:
The facility includes an Olympic-size 50-meter, 8-lane indoor pool; a 10-meter diving tower with four springboards; a movable bulkhead to maximize programming; men’s and women’s varsity team locker rooms; seating for 800 spectators; coaching offices; a classroom; VIP suite; and a spacious lobby.
Design:
As with any university project, the design was first approved through SMU's stringent design guidelines respecting the campus standard Georgian architectural style. Some design adjustments were approved including departures reflecting the building‘s unique use, and design nods to set a more contemporary tone for the University's growing east campus environment.
Challenges Overcome:
The project was built on a highly restrained site, requiring detailed coordination with contractors very early in the design process. The processes for excavating and casting the pool, installing building foundations, even placement of erection cranes (to install a 180-ft long truss), all had to be fully vetted in order to design the facility. The project was built in tandem with adjacent major utility work and with an eye toward a master plan for a future outdoor pool next door.
Innovations:
The facility's emphasis on technology is remarkable. A first-of-its-kind installation, multiple cameras both above and below water capture athletes' movements in high-resolution detail for review and coaching refinement. Multiple scoreboards and a third video board benefit the fan experience and enable hosting of major meets. The facility has also earned LEED Gold certification.
Material Used :
1. Musco - Natatorium lighting
2. SwimPro - Aquatic camera system
3. Colorado Timing Systems - Scoreboard and timing system
4. Longhorn Locker Company - Custom lockers
5. Daltile, Concept Surfaces - Tile
6. Neptune Benson – Filtration system
7. Durafirm – Diving Boards
8. Seresco – Dehumidification system
9. Stark – Movable pool bulkhead
10. Southern Bleacher Company – Bleachers
11. Epic Metals – Natatorium roof deck
12. Dallas Cast Stone – Custom cast stone
13. Tubelite – Aluminum curtainwall and storefronts
14. CopperCraft – Copper dome roofing
15. Acme Brick – Brick cladding, SMU blend
16. American Terrazzo – Terrazzo
17. Kim Lighting – exterior lighting
18. Zaneen – Feature circular lighting at lobby stair
19. Starting Blocks – Spectrum Aquatics
20. Pool pums – Aurora
21. Competitor – Pool racing lane lines
