University City Swim Club
Located in West Philadelphia, the University City Swim Club is anon-profit club with a proud history of diversity. It was the first integrated pool in the United States. The Club celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014.
The interiors and one corner of each of the buildings were fully removed and replaced including the slabs-on-grade and utilities. Sight lines and visual access are controlled through careful placement of new walls and openings so that the spaces feel open but comfortably secure. Custom detailing and fabrication of sink counters, showers, and locker areas celebrate the idea of playing with water as a way to build community.
These pavilion buildings at the historic University City Swim Club provide spacious changing areas which blur the edge between inside and outside while maintaining privacy.
A K Architecture’s design of the renovation of the facilities doubles the locker and shower capacity for the growing membership of over 1,500 individuals, while updating the buildings and amenities to be fully accessible.