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All photography
© Sylvie Ball
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October 16, 2007
Welcome to the Williams Natatorium at Cranbrook Schools located in
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. This indoor swimming facility
was constructed in 1999 by acclaimed architects Tod Williams (Cranbrook '61) and Billie Tsien. These photographs were taken in June 2001. This is one of two
natatoriums on my website. You can visit the other natatorium located in
Tivoli, Italy
here. For more information about the
Williams Natatorium click
here.
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The two elliptical openings (oculi) in the ceiling were closed when
I took these photos but during the day they are open in temperate
weather. Fifteen hydraulically controlled vertical mahogany louver
doors open to the outdoors. There is a diving class in progress on the
far side of the pool. The celestial lights resembling stars inset
into the deep blue ceiling gives you the feeling like you are swimming
outdoors at night. The pool is now open to the public on a limited
schedule.
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The pool ranges from 3.5 to 13 feet deep.
Spanish glass tile lines the inside of the pool.
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The lights from the ceiling add sparkle to the
surface of the water.
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The Williams Natatorium has two one meter diving
boards. Italian slate was used for the pool deck.
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This 21,000 square foot facility includes an 8 lane 25 yard swimming
pool with spectator seating for 200 people. Tod Williams and
Billie Tsien won a National AIA Honor Award in 2001 for this project.
To take a tour of their studio and visit their home in New York City
visit this link:
Tod Williams
Billie Tsien Architects
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