At the base of the Cascades, Leavenworth is a popular tourist destination well-known for its Bavarian style architecture, amazing mountain views, and year-round outdoor recreation opportunities. The community is active in all seasons yet only has an outdoor pool open to the public during the summer. Opportunities for year-round indoor swimming were noted as one of the highest priorities for the community in a recent parks and recreation plan survey.

The community’s highest priority was to have NAC design an aquatic center that would celebrate the local culture and surrounding natural beauty by creating an indoor-outdoor feel. This concept design is a modern interpretation of the Bavarian style that incorporates large expanses of glass that offer views of the mountains while swimming laps. The roof glazing offers views to the sky and could be designed to have operable panels that slide open during optimal weather conditions. Large operable glass walls open between the natatorium and exterior patio allowing patrons to flow between the indoor lap and recreation pool to the splash pad and hot tub outside.