The Pools

Community center reflects the style and culture of Southern California lifestyle

The Pools at the Great Park in Irvine, California is part of an eight-acre water park that serves as the heart of Great Park Neighborhoods, a community developed by FivePoint Communities. The neighborhood is designed around a network of parks and trails, targeting young families and buyers seeking an active, healthy lifestyle.

The design elevates the concept of a traditional community center with iconic, modern architecture and an elegant, flexible design. The Pools is an architectural response to the Southern California lifestyle, connecting the center to outdoor spaces and creating places for people to gather. The floating wood roofs, native stone walls and generous glass are purposefully arranged to create a shelter from the elements in a central, airy pavilion, opening to outdoor spaces to leverage the mild local climate.

The design of the Pools recognizes the changing role of the community center, creating a center that residents can fulfill a variety of community roles. Indoor and outdoor spaces are seamlessly blended, with wide, covered patios and glass and accordion-style doors that open to the fresh air. An outdoor kitchen, fire pits and stylish poolside cabanas create plenty of areas for residents to relax in privacy or with groups.

The indoor spaces are flexible, specifically designed to be rearranged and resized, depending on the activities and current needs of residents. Overhead, the wood ceilings cast a warm glow while the stone edges provide texture and permanence. The furniture is both fun and functional, inviting residents to pause and enjoy.