Standing the Test of Time: Greenbelt Aquatic Center Gets New Look

When the Greenbelt (Md.) Aquatic Center was ready for a facelift, the architects, operations manager and contractors involved in the project didn’t have to worry about the structure enclosing the center’s main pool.

Structures Unlimited, Inc. prides itself in producing pre-engineered structural aluminum rigid frame pool enclosures featuring Kalwall^® translucent roof panels that stand the test of time and that certainly proved true for its 85’x150’ at the Greenbelt Aquatic Center. While other building systems in aquatic environments average 15 to 17 years before major renovation, the Structures Unlimited system endured for 24 years. The structural framing was 100 percent reusable.

The condition of the aluminum structure allowed for easy installation of new Kalwall translucent sandwich panels. The project, which included two operable roof systems, took less than a month to install and was conveniently scheduled when the pool is normally shut down for annual maintenance.

The replacement Kalwall panels with a .14U value, 8% light transmission and very low .14 solar heat gain coefficient injected new life into the facility and continue to ensure that the popular facility can operate year round, with significant energy savings. Daylight modeling optimized panel selection to ensure the maximum benefit of the diffuse daylighting Kalwall panels provide.