Calling on his background of designing environmentally friendly and healthy structures for more than 25 years, Wood River Valley architect Dales Bates has designed a Hailey health club that fits the bill in more ways than one.
The Hailey Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday approved the design of the 19,800-square-foot fitness facility in the Copper Ranch subdivision, located along Woodside Boulevard. Developers hope to begin construction on the Club at Copper Ranch this spring and complete it within 18 months.
Bates, the owner of Living Architecture in Ketchum, said the design of the health club utilizes a number of innovative methods to make it healthier for users, including active and passive solar heating, European "breathing walls," non-toxic building materials and natural daylighting and ventilation.
"Our first goal is to be healthy," Bates said.
The health club will be the first of its kind in the area, he said. "It's not like anything you see in Ketchum. It's not like anything anywhere," Bates said.
Located within the facility's two floors will be locker rooms, a weight room, a four-lane pool, as well as space for training equipment, yoga and spinning classes, aerobics, stretching and childcare.
Copper Ranch developers decided in 2005 to redesign the already approved fitness facility for functional reasons. The new design approved by P&Z commissioners on Tuesday was their attempt at rectifying those issues.
The health club isn't being built exclusively for residents of Copper Ranch. Hailey residents will also be able to join the health club for a membership fee.
The healthy innovations included in the facility's design will be a great benefit to users of the health club, Bates said.
The facility's operable windows will be connected by a monitoring system to tell management when it's appropriate to open them up to take advantage of natural ventilation.
Additionally, the building's "claristory" windows and large overhead glass-covered atrium will let in abundant natural daylighting, thereby reducing dependence on artificial lighting. The overall effect of the natural lighting will be to create a healthier environment more conducive to working out, Bates said.
"It's healthier to have full-spectrum natural light," he said.
One aspect of the facility sure to attract attention will be the solar hot water collectors on its roof. Heated water from the collectors will be used in the pool, for heating the building and for showers in the locker room. Completion of the solar hot water collection system is dependent on finding the necessary funding for installation, Bates said.
"It's a matter of can we afford it?" he said.
Noteworthy aspects of the facility hidden from view include European breathing walls, which won't trap unhealthy moisture that can lead to the growth of mold, and the use of no- and low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) building materials. Unlike standard building materials, no- and low-VOC building materials like paints, stains, adhesives and cabinetry produce little or no off-gassing of toxic fumes, which in certain cases can lead to neurological and allergenic problems.
Bates' work has attracted nationwide attention. The editors of Natural Home and Garden magazine recently named him one of the top 10 green architects in the country for 2005.
As part of their approval, P&Z commissioners asked Copper Ranch developers to make several changes to the health club, including a modification of pedestrian access, the addition of windows on the facility's northwest side and the removal of outside lighting on its second floor.
Still, P&Z Chairwoman Kristin Anderson and commissioners seemed pleased with redesigned facility.
"I don't doubt the thoughtfulness of the design," Anderson said.
The Hailey Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a newly redesigned fitness facility for the Copper Ranch subdivision. Designed by Ketchum architect Dale Bates, the Club at Copper Ranch will utilize innovative methods to create what Bates calls a "healthy health club."
Image courtesy of Living Architecture
