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MERIT AWARD PROJECT Pleasanton Community Aquatic Center Pleasanton California

ARCHITECT ELS/Elbasani & Logan Architects 2040 Addison Street Berkeley, CA 94704 Donn Logan, FAIA

The architect’s challenge was to enlarge a modest swim facility into a larger community-wide aquatic center. Concrete Masonry Units were selected as the primary building material for their structural and aesthetic flexibility. On the wall facing the pool, alternating bands of exposed earth colored block were chosen for their warmth and simple expression. Although not exposed, the concrete block masonry entry offered an inexpensive and structurally sound solution for shaping the curving wall.

The jury was impressed with the conceptual layout of this project. The jury also felt, and I quote, “The architect did an excellent job of taking the existing conditions and transforming an ordinary facility into something special. The transformation was very strong. The bold use of color was not overdone, and was done in a very nice way. It is a simple idea, and a wonderful addition over what the architect started with.”