Overbrook School for the Blind Receives Design Honor

Designed to accommodate those with visual impairments and other disabilities, the Kappen Center incorporates innovative features geared toward the needs of its target users.

1 MIN READ

Credit: Tom Crane

The Details

Architect:
Daley + Jalboot Architects, LLP

Aquatic Designer:
Integrated Aquatics Engineering Inc.

General Contractor
W.S. Cumby Inc.

Pool/Spa Contractor:
Main Line Commerical Pools

Landscaping:
Shearon Environmental Design

Playground Consultant:
Playcare Inc.

Civil Engineer:
Durkin Associates

LEED Consultant:
Re:Vision Architecture

MEP Engineer:
Vinokur-Pace Engineering

Suppliers

Gutters:
ADG/Whitten Custom

Filtration:
Nemato Corp.

Guard chairs/safety equipment:
Recreonics

HVAC system/heaters:
Weil-McClain

Lockers:
Tara Corp.

Pool cleaner:
Dolphin/Maytronics US

Pumps:
Pentair Aquatic Systems

Racing lines:
Recreonics, Paragon Aquatics

Seating:
By The Yard Co.

Starting platforms/starting blocks:
Paragon Aquatics

Pool lift:
Aquatic Access

Lane markers:
Adolph Kiefer & Associates

Automatic water level controller:
BECS Technology

The Overbrook School for the Blind – Kappen Aquatic Center serves visually impaired students ranging in age from 3 to 21. Surfaces were chosen to help users identify changes in location or site condition. Nonslip deck tiles help define areas, while contrasting colors and textures indicate edges that are not to be crossed. Confetti-colored wall tiles artistically reference the prismatic makeup of light while functioning as a visual tool to help partially sighted clients with depth perception. The students generally have highly sensitive hearing, so certain features were chosen for their sound-attenuating abilities, such as a special acoustic roof deck at the ceiling, sound-absorbing treatments toward the top of the walls and ductwork made of fabric.

Many students also have other disabilities, so access was an issue. The competition pool, which serves a swim team, includes a ramp, chair lift, steps and ladders. One entrance is at 4 feet, gradually moving to 3 feet in the center of the pool.

Officials sought an energy-efficient facility to replace a 102-year-old structure. With their energy-saving strategies, designers accumulated 53 LEED credits, making the Kappen Center the first natatorium to receive LEED platinum status.

About the Author

Rebecca Robledo

Rebecca Robledo is deputy editor of Pool & Spa News and Aquatics International. She is an award-winning trade journalist with more than 25 years experience reporting on and editing content for the pool, spa and aquatics industries. She specializes in technical, complex or detail-oriented subject matter with an emphasis in design and construction, as well as legal and regulatory issues. For this coverage and editing, she has received numerous awards, including four Jesse H. Neal Awards, considered by many to be the “Pulitzer Prize of Trade Journalism.”