Indiana School for the Blind, Aquatic Center

Indianapolis, Indiana

Firm

BSA LifeStructures

Client

State of Indiana

Area

20,800 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$3,600,000

Completion Date

09/1999

The opening of the Indiana School for the Blind’s Aquatic Center had been a long time coming—the former pool closed in 1990. The challenge for the architect in designing the 20,800-square-foot center was incorporating the basic architectural style of the 1930s campus. Particularly difficult was matching the brick to the original administration building, and maintaining a look and feel similar to the original terra-cotta trim while adhering to the budget.
The center serves students who are sighted or blind, as well as those who have significant visual challenges. The concept employs design solutions that empower children with visual challenges to enjoy the same freedom and spontaneity as sighted children through the experience of environmental and social competence.
The center includes staging areas for coaches and teams, locker rooms with showers and dressing areas, equipment-storage areas, laundry facilities, staff offices and public restrooms. In addition, a six-lane 25-meter competition pool was included to allow the school to host three to five team swimming meets with a spectator capacity of 150.

Photographer: ©Greg Murphey Studios