There is a remarkable municipal swimming pool built in a modernist form language located in North Bend, Oregon adjacent to Coos Bay Oregon. It is an amazing combination of concrete, steel and timber that has an enormous atrium with a southern exposure. The building is 50 years old. It was apparently the work of a local engineering firm. No architect is listed on the plaque outside. I just stumbled into this building today. The lettering used on the building interior is very FLW and the sweeping modulated spaces of this swimming pool are like no other pool that I have seen. These engineers were influenced by Wright. This thing is an important piece of architecture. The atrium on the southern exposure rises about three stories and the aluminum frame atrium wall has HUGE sliding panels that raise up to control ventilation. It is a horse shoe shaped pool. Even the pool has a Wright feel to it. And the life guard stands are these utterly remarkable sculptures. If anyone reads this and lives in Oregon and has any influence with architectural preservation alert the proper authorities. The building is currently being rehabilitated in phases, but I can find no indication that the building is viewed as an architectural landmark. Instead, it seems to be a vital community facility and is being contemporized. The rehab is going to change it over from fuel oil power and is going to change it from chlorine to salt purification systems. Dressing rooms are being altered into public bathrooms. And so on. I don't see any sign that this building is on any protected list. Someone in architectural preservation ought to look into and be apart of this renovation process. And whomever engineered it ought to be studied. This thing was way ahead of its time.
Lottaliving's forum has a...
Lottaliving's forum has a very lively discussion on the preservation of important architectural landmarks. You should definitely post about your find there. I'm sure there are people from Oregon on there too...
http://www.lottaliving.com/bb/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=2c1c5d99d9286fdcfcf2...
Sounds wonderful DC!
I share SDR sentiments, gotta see photos! If you know the name and/or address of this building, googling can be very resourceful.
Historical Preservation League Of Oregon
http://www.hplo.org/Helpful%20Info/faq.htm
http://www.hplo.org/Helpful%20Info/faq.htm
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