2021
Encino, California

Robinson Family Aquatics Center








OVERVIEW
The Robinson Family Aquatics Center brings a new world-class athletics facility to Crespi Carmelite High School’s Encino campus. Designed by Pica + Sullivan Architects as the first phase of the school’s comprehensive Campus Master Plan, the project establishes a premier long-course aquatics venue for swimming, water polo, wellness, and community use.
CLIENT
Crespi Carmelite High School sought to strengthen its athletic and co-curricular programs with an on-campus aquatics center that could serve student athletes, the broader student body, families, feeder schools, and the San Fernando Valley community.
PROJECT SCOPE
Project Size: 6,000 SF
Opening Date: 2021
DESIGN GOALS
The design was driven by Crespi’s long-term vision for a campus that expands the learning environment, supports future academic and athletic programs, and creates spaces that inspire. For the aquatics center, that vision meant bringing competitive swimming and water polo home to campus while creating a flexible facility for training, wellness, spectator events, and community engagement.
KEY INTERVENTIONS
The new facility includes a 50 meter x 25 yard Olympic-size competition pool, a 60 ft x 30 ft restorative wellness plunge pool, and a two-story pavilion with locker rooms, an office, a first aid center, a team room, and spectator restrooms. Integrated concrete bleachers form the roof of the pool equipment level, while an elevated deck supports relaxed viewing of aquatic events and competitions on the adjacent athletic field.
A distant, high-angle exterior of the Robinson Family Aquatics Center at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project. The angle showcases the Center's proximity to the track and football field.
A daytime exterior view from outside the fence of the Robinson Family Aquatics Center of Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project.
Sinks inside a changing room at the Robinson Family Aquatics Center at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project. Shower heads are visible reflected in the mirror.
View of the pool set up for laps and racing at the Robinson Family Aquatics Center at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project.
Two students emerge from the water in the pool at the Robinson Family Aquatics Center at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project.
Students play with a water polo ball in the pool at the Robinson Family Aquatics Center at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project.
Students play with a water polo ball in the pool at the Robinson Family Aquatics Center at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project.
Students play with a water polo ball in the pool at the Robinson Family Aquatics Center at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project.
Students play with a water polo ball in the pool at the Robinson Family Aquatics Center at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project.
View from the starting race platforms of the pool at the Robinson Family Aquatics Center at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project.
A daytime exterior view from outside the fence of the Robinson Family Aquatics Center of Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project.
OUTCOME

The Robinson Family Aquatics Center gives Crespi a signature facility that advances the school’s athletic mission and anchors the next generation of campus growth. By relocating aquatic programs from off-campus venues to a dedicated home on campus, the project expands access, strengthens school identity, and positions Crespi as a leader in independent school athletics.
Sky view of the Robinson Family Aquatics Center at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project. The football field and racetrack are next to it.
Aerial view of the pool set up for racing at the Robinson Family Aquatics Center at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project.
A pool set up for laps and racing at the Robinson Family Aquatics Center at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project. The bleachers are visible behind it.
Low-angle view from next to the race track of the elevated Robinson Family Aquatics Center at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project.
A row of lockers in a locker and changing room at the Robinson Family Aquatics Center at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project.
Exterior view of the buildings at the Robinson Family Aquatics Center at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project.
Nighttime exterior view of the staircase at the elevated Robinson Family Aquatics Center at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project.
View of bleachers and a pool set up for laps and racing at the Robinson Family Aquatics Center at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project.
Nighttime view from the bleachers of the pool set up for laps and racing at the Robinson Family Aquatics Center at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project.
The starting platforms overlook the racing pool at the Robinson Family Aquatics Center at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project.
A student plays with a water polo ball in the pool at the Robinson Family Aquatics Center at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project.
A student dives into the pool at the Robinson Family Aquatics Center at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, a Pica+Sullivan Southern California educational architectural project.
PROJECT TEAM

Architect: Pica+Sullivan Architects

Aquatics Design Consultant: Jones and Madhavan

Structural Engineer: Johnson Leifield Structural Engineers

Civil Engineer: KPFF Consulting Engineers

Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing Engineer: Green MEP 

Landscape Architect: Carter, Romanek Landscape Architects

Waterproofing: Terra-Petra

Soils Engineer: Byer Geotechnical, Inc.

Lighting Consultant: KGM Architectural Lighting

General Contractor: T. Violé Construction

Project Management: DPPM, LLC / Patrick Turley

Photography: Randall Michelson Photography

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