Southern Methodist University's new Robson & Lindley Aquatics Center and Barr-McMillion Natatorium stands as a gateway for the growing east campus and builds on a legacy of proud Olympians, world records and 155 national titles. Earning LEED Gold certification through the U.S. Green Building Council, the project also exemplifies SMU's commitment to sustainability.
To realize the project's aesthetic, performance and sustainability goals, glazing contractor B&B Glass, Inc. installed Tubelite Inc.'s high-performance 400CW Series Curtain wall, T14000 Series Storefront and Wide Stile Entrance systems. Contractor and LEED consultant, The Beck Group, led the project's 20-month construction. Tristar supplied the glass for the curtain wall, storefront and entrance systems.
Home to SMU's Dallas-based, internationally recognized men's and women's swimming and diving teams, the 42,000-square-foot center provides facilities for practice and competition. Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects designed the new Aquatics Center to reflect the traditional Georgian architecture associated with the university.
The center's grand rotunda features Tubelite's curtain wall in three two-story-tall sections to enclose this distinctive, curved corner, say officials. Between each curtain wall section, full-height, half-circle Tuscan columns in pale cast-stone add dimensional drama to the façade.
Bridging the light-colored masonry with the dark brown brickwork, round portal-inspired windows punctuate the walls that bookend the rotunda and extend along one wall as clerestory units. Along the street level of both walls, the center showcases more traditional, rectangular-shaped Tubelite storefront and entrance systems.
According to SMU's Office of Facilities Planning and Management, "occupants in more than 90 percent of all regularly occupied spaces have a direct line of sight to the outdoors, which enables them to maintain a visual connection to the surrounding environment."
Tubelite's high-performance window systems also played a key role in the integrated strategies to reduce the building's energy usage, while providing for greater comfort level of occupants. A computer simulated model predicted the potential for 31 percent energy use reduction overall.
The building team also made a conscious effort to use products that have a high recycled content and low volatile organic compound content levels. Tubelite's aluminum framing members can be manufactured with recycled content and finished in low-emitting paints and coatings. For SMU's Aquatics Center, the aluminum contains up to 70 percent recycled content and was finished by Linetec in Class 1 Clear Anodize.
Linetec's no-VOC, eco-friendly anodize produces a frosty, matte finish that helps hide small imperfections sometimes seen in recycled aluminum. These qualities have helped Linetec's anodize earn a Declare Label as Living Building Challenge Red List Free, which is recognized by LEED and other sustainable building programs.
Because anodize is the most durable finish available, Tubelite's aluminum-framed curtain wall, storefront and entrance systems further support SMU's goals of creating "attractive, low-maintenance spaces."
At the end of its useful life on the building, Tubelite's aluminum framing can be reused and recycled. The Aquatics Center's building materials totaled more than 27 percent of recycled content by cost, and over 90 percent of all construction waste was recycled.
Further supporting its LEED Gold certification, the project is convenient to transit and pedestrian paths, uses low-flow plumbing fixtures, and employs high-efficiency mechanical and lighting systems. SMU also has purchased green power to help offset its energy use and completed enhanced commissioning to ensure all systems ran as designed.
Meeting or exceeding expectations, the Aquatics Center features an Olympic-sized, eight-lane indoor pool with a platform diving area, including four springboards and a 10-meter tower for training and competition. Coaches' offices; men's, women's and visitor locker rooms; and a classroom and meeting area are located adjacent to the pool. Spectator seating for 800 is on the mezzanine level.
A permanent exhibit in the Aquatics Center honors former swimmers, divers and coaches who have built SMU's program and reputation. The building's name honors the leading donors, Emily and Bruce Robson, Hannah and Joe Robson, and Shelli and Steve Lindley. The natatorium also pays tribute to two of SMU's most recognized coaches: A.R. "Red" Barr and George "Coach Mac" McMillion.
