Phil Wegner
Great Outdoor Waterpark
Lafayette, Colo.
Architect: Essenza Architecture
Aquatic Designer/Consultant: Counsilman-Hunsaker
Landscape Architect: Stanley Consulting Group
Builder: Fransen Pittman
Pool/Spa/Waterfeature Contractor: High Country Pools
Lighting and Electrical: AE Design
Mechanical Engineer: The Ballard Group
Civil Engineering: Scott Cox and Associates, KYSE Structural
Fun at home
This renovation provided all the amenities needed to attract citizens of all stripes in the Denver/Boulder suburb: a lazy river with water monkey bars and a small whirlpool; a leisure pool with zero-depth entry and play structure; two tower waterslides; and a 3,800-square-foot bathhouse. An existing lap pool was revitalized and the original bathhouse converted into a concessions building.
But just as important were the aesthetic objectives — to reference the neighborhood’s identity, emphasizing its history as a mining town and its connection to nature. The designers also wanted to ensure that the facility was scaled to feel comfortable to humans.
Tough, long-lasting materials were needed for the bath house, so the designers chose a CMU block construction with a mass timber roof that reflects traditional mining buildings. Stone and tile veneers provide a warm, natural touch to the building. To make the large structure more approachable, the designers sloped the roof so it fell lower near the entry area.
Animal sculptures throughout the site were meant to help with both scaling and the natural connection. The spray elements reflect species of flower and fish seen in the local environs, while paw prints of regional animals are pressed into the concrete.
The landscaping is all native to the area, with informational plaques identifying the species, to add to the educational experience.
Supplier:
Interactive Waterfeatures, Slides: Splashtacular
