02 — Arch 401 · Fall 2025

Common Waters

A civic anchor for its Brooklyn neighborhood, where water, light and community meet.

ProgramCommunity natatorium
LocationBrooklyn, NY
CourseArch 401 · Integrative Design V
ProfessorEmilio Chacon
ToolsClimateStudio · Grasshopper
Aerial view of Common Waters on a Brooklyn block: a timber-finned building with a sloped roof and clerestory, a rooftop terrace with solar panels, pergolas, café umbrellas and stepped seating, and a tree-lined sidewalk
Aerial · the rooftop as public terraceBrooklyn, NY

The project

Common Waters re-imagines the public pool as a civic anchor for its Brooklyn neighborhood, a shared place where water, light, and community meet.

Low-carbon and daylit: a column-free glulam roof, southern clerestories, rain chains and rooftop PV, tested in ClimateStudio and Grasshopper.

The pool hall: exposed timber roof structure, tiered seating along the lap pool, and low windows framing planting
The pool hallTimber roof, daylight from above, and seats along the water.
A vine-covered pergola walkway along the brick natatorium, with benches, café tables and a view to the outdoor pool
The pergola walkA shaded edge between the street and the water.

Finding the form

Massing in four moves
  1. 01

    Start from the full site block.

  2. 02

    Carve for daylight and airflow.

  3. 03

    Slope the roof to catch rain.

  4. 04

    Open public space at the street.

Drawings

Elevation · Plans · Sections · Detail
South elevation: a long timber-finned street wall with a taller tower and a sloped clerestory roof behind, street trees in front
South elevation
Ground level plan: the pool hall with lanes, locker rooms, and community rooms opening onto a carved public courtyardWOMEN’S LOCKERROOMCOATROOMCAFEBRBRMEN’SLOCKER ROOMMEN’SSPAWOMEN’S SPASTORAGEOFFICEBRBRLOBBYSTAFF LOUNGECOMMUNITY CENTERCONFERENCEROOMCUSTOMER SERVICEBIKESTORAGESTAFF LOCKERSOFFICE
Ground level
Second floor plan: fitness spaces overlooking the pool and a gathering wingVIEW DECKOPEN GYMCLASS STUDIOCLASS STUDIOOPEN GYMROOF AMPHITHEATERSUN DECK
Second floor
Longitudinal section through the pool hall and the stepped community wing
Longitudinal section
Section through the pool hall showing the column-free roof and clerestory
Section through the pool hall

A column-free glulam roof spans the full width of the pool hall.

Comprehensive section: truss roof, steel tension, PV roof panels, glulam beams, CLT floor slabs, rain chains, brick facade, water catchment, and sun angles for summer and winterSUMMER SUNSTEEL TENSIONTRUSS SYSTEM INFORMS BUILDING FORMOF CONCAVED SLOPEROOF GUTTERRAIN CHAINSPV ROOF PANELSHigh southern clerestory allowsfor light to enter the space whilestructure system allows for shadingto prevent harsh direct lightWINTER SUNGLULAM BEAMSBRICK FACADElow west glazing preventsharsh summer sun andallows for winter light toenter the spaceCLT FLOOR SLABSWATER CATCHMENT
Comprehensive section
Wall section detail from roof gutter and rain chains through brick facade, glulam structure and pergola to the concrete footing, with numbered callouts1234567891011121314151617181920212223
Wall section · Pergola walk
  1. 1Roof gutter
  2. 2Rain chains
  3. 3Brick facade
  4. 4Brick ties
  5. 5Air gap
  6. 6Rigid insulation
  7. 7Water/ vapor barrier
  8. 8Interior finish CMU
  9. 9Water catchment system
  10. 10Steel roof panels
  11. 11Insulation
  12. 12Air gap
  13. 13Purlin brace
  14. 14Wood framing
  15. 15Interior finish
  16. 16Purlin
  17. 17Glulam beams
  18. 18Steel tension cables
  19. 19Interior tile finish
  20. 20Concrete slab
  21. 21Insulation
  22. 22Water/ vapor barrier
  23. 23Concrete footing
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