Steamboat Landing

2025 · Ithaca, NY

A mass timber pool and fitness center on Ithaca’s waterfront. A GLULAM cantilever shades a public stand over the water. Community Pool & Fitness Center Instructor: Tom Carruthers Type: Core Studio Fall 2025 The importance of context, circulation, & a fascination with the ceiling leads to a community pool project nestled in the far corner of the waterfront site in proximity to the Ithaca Farmers Market. The building’s placement allows for privacy to swimmers while keeping the park surrounding completely open and public to the waterfront and its corner. The construction of an exterior deck above the water creates an unexpected year-round space, allowing for lake swimming, fishing, and ice-skating. A shaded exterior activates a space to come together, picnic, watch the waterfront, and enjoy the rowing races that take place on the Cayuga riverfront. The building functions not only as a fitness center, but also as a place of gathering, resting, and curiosity among the waterfront. 2’6” engineered GLULAM cantilever beams span 40’ out, forming a shaded public space for gathering across the waterfront. A structural grid of 8’ spacing transfers subsequent loads, and allows for the large interior spans of the natatorium. These beams went through a long process of research, trial, and redesigns across the semester. The final design prevents thermal loss and balances the heavy loads of the cantilever using white oak GLULAM from the region. The use of a double stud wall results in an R-value of 31, and triple insulated glass further reduces the need for HVAC systems. The 9’ raising of the pool space allows for supply ducts & pool mechanical equipment to be run underneath the pool floor through an underground plenum. The placement of the supply ducts in proximity to the thermal envelope reduces heat loss within the space. Operable windows allow for natural ventilation within the pool and support spaces of the building, a large roof overhang (40’ on the waterfront, and 10’ on all other sides) acts as a thermal barrier, and the interior oculi supply the pool & gym spaces with diffused lighting throughout the day. Solar penetration is minimized through a diffusion layer in the oculi, and staff-operable louvers on the pool space windows.