Completed as the first phase of a larger master plan, the project transformed an underutilized park site bounded by an adjacent freeway and industrial distribution facility into an open, inviting public hub.

The natatorium’s interior holds an indoor leisure and lap pool; within the broader facility are a dance and aerobics studio, a fitness center, a learning and media center, and a community gathering space. The building’s architectural narrative emphasizes transparency, safety, and community access, with strategies drawn from Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. Extensive exterior glazing maximizes natural daylighting while offering direct sightlines into the rich array of programming.

The primary visual centerpiece—the indoor aquatic center—is shielded by a custom brise-soleil that mitigates solar heat gain while serving as an exterior canvas for a large-scale public mural by local artists Daniel Galvez and Jos Sances. The center balances sustainable design strategies with durable, high-visibility materials, serving as a modern, safe, and accessible civic anchor for its community.

Awards

AIA East Bay Design Merit Award

AIA San Francisco Citation Award

Athletic Business Facility of Merit