Northern Arizona University Aquatics and Tennis Complex

The interior is organized to provide the lobby and upper concourse with a view of the pool and dive tower. The school colors -- navy and yellow -- are used throughout.

Designers aimed to provide not only a state-of-the-art complex for its students and to house competitions. They also needed to provide accommodations for high volumes of serious swimmers looking for high-altitude training.

Heat recovery systems, enhanced air filtration and high-efficiency lighting helped in attaining the LEED Gold designation. In addition to a design that harnesses as much natural daylight as possible, LED lighting with controls was incorporated to minimize energy consumption. The team estimates that 90% of the construction waste, by weight, was taken to recycling centers rather than landfills.

The complex features large spaces for lockers, deck, and training/therapy to help manage many training athletes at once.

The view from the diving platform. A dedicated dryland training room for divers also is located in the facility.

The view from the pool.

The Aquatics and Tennis complex straddles the campus recreation center across the street to create a dramatic entrance onto the campus. So that the old aquatics center and pool could remain open as long as possible, the new building was built next to it. Once the new facility was complete, the old one was demolished, with the tennis courts placed in its place.