WMAIA 2024 Design Awards
CITATION AWARD
Kuth Ranieri Architects, Franklin, MA
This new, municipal swimming pool and bathhouse replace aging facilities at a public park deep in the hills of Buckland, MA. The new facility includes aquatic opportunities for all ages. Designed on a tight budget, facilities are kept to a functional minimum, orienting the project toward the pool and relocating programs like showers and changing rooms to outside the shell.
The long, slab-on grade building frames views toward the fully accessible pool, which includes a shallow zone for non-swimmers and a deeper end that orients toward views of an abutting stream. The building includes a reception/first aid, restrooms, storage, and pool mechanical room. A palette of natural building materials, including local black locust siding, and off-the-shelf components defines the building’s modest character. Sustainability features include extended eaves, a photovoltaic array, native plantings, and durable materials. The $2.1M project was funded through state grants, town funding, and a substantial fundraising effort.
Photos by Ben Gancsos Studio
