To accommodate the needs of various users, Sid Lee Architecture's complex is divided into three distinct sectors. The first sector is dedicated to family recreation, featuring a pool equipped with water games and a slide. The second sector provides private spaces for staff and local competition teams. The third sector, designed for high-level competition, includes an Olympic-size pool and a diving platform.
The structure of the complex is built using a system of trusses and metal columns that create expansive open spaces. Within this framework, the vibrant yellow of the facilities stands out, complementing the deep blue of the pools. In the locker rooms and changing areas, dark blue is used in contrast with crisp white, enhancing the overall aesthetic.
Laval’s Aquatic Complex by Sid Lee Architecture. Photograph by David Boyer.
Project description by Sid Lee Architecture
Located at the heart of the North Shore’s new downtown core, this public project aims to answer the city’s growing need for modern infrastructure that serves its community, enriches the daily lives of its citizens, and supports the development of sports and recreational activities.
Inspired by biophilia and movement, Laval’s Aquatic Complex proposes a vibrant family- and community-focused space. Additionally, the complex provides the city with state-of-the-art facilities developed to support the next generation of Olympians and guide tomorrow’s athletes.
Symbiotic with nature
Located near the Cosmodome, the complex sits on the edge of a woodland and invites visitors to dive into an environment where they can immerse themselves in nature. Oriented on a north-south axis, the tall glass facades of the recreational pool open onto a soothing view of the trees, while maintaining a degree of intimacy preserved by the backdrop of foliage.
"The presence of the woodland on the site guided the architectural vision from the start. The spaces were developed to create a symbiotic relationship between the aquatic plates and the intimacy provided by the tranquil nature of the area".
Jean Pelland, architect and principal partner at Sid Lee Architecture.
A constant dialogue between the interior and the exterior bathes the space in a natural light that evolves throughout the day. The surrounding trees play a key role in filtering light, as well as diluting visual and noise distractions. This fluid connection between the woodland and the dominant presence of the water within the space creates a harmonious environment where well-being and performance define the complex’s purpose.
A dynamic conception
On the outside, the cylindrical facade features a subtle play of vertical textures designed in a rotating movement of three consecutive bands around the building’s central axis. This composition anchors the complex within the landscape in a dynamic and inviting way, while simultaneously organizing its different functions.
"On the inside, the simplicity of the spaces offers a refined setting that lets the magnitude of the pools and the views of the surrounding nature shine"
Carl-Antonyn Dufault, design director at Sid Lee Architecture.
To organize the complex’s different areas, a bicolor treatment delineates each zone according to its function. Splashes of yellow infuse warmth and conviviality in the two luminous areas dedicated to swimming, while waves of blue envelop the private spaces in a calm atmosphere.
Inclusive and evolving amenities
To meet the varied needs of the users, the building was designed in three distinct sections, each dedicated to a precise function. The first section welcomes the public spaces, including the spacious lobby, an agora, and a recreational pool equipped with a slide and water game intended for the whole family. The intermediate section is reserved for private spaces, which comprise modern change rooms, administration offices, and a gymnasium designed for local sports teams. Finally, the last section houses the largest basins — an Olympic pool dedicated to competitive swimming, and a diving pool developed for athletes of different levels. Included in this section are infrastructures such as a 10-meter diving tower, which are few in Quebec, making this complex an exceptional training space for elite sports.
Custom-made equipment, like a movable bridge that can be used to divide the Olympic pool into two separate sections, and an adjustable pool floor that enables users to adjust its depth, can be set above water for special events, such as competitions and medal ceremonies. The complex evolves in tandem with the progression of the athletes that use it, supporting them throughout their careers and propelling the development of local talent. By passing through a raised corridor floating from east to west, the public can access the athletic area's bleachers, offering a view of both basins. All spaces of the Aquatic Complex are equipped with amenities built for universal access.
"Universal accessibility is at the heart of our approach. Aquatic activity, which is inclusive by nature, transcends age and physical capacities. It was essential for us, as well as for the city of Laval, that our intervention allowed for all members of the community to enjoy the new facilities".
Marjolaine Plasse, project manager at Sid Lee Architecture.
The final result provides Laval with state-of-the-art facilities, harmoniously balancing recreational and sports activities to enhance the community’s health and well-being.
