The reopening of the Piedmont Community Pool marks far more than the return of a public swimming facility. Replacing an aging complex that had served generations of local residents before closing in 2020, the new aquatics center has been reimagined as a hub for recreation, wellness and community life in the heart of Piedmont, California.
Designed by ELS Architecture and Urban Design, the all-electric facility transforms one of the city’s most challenging sites into a vibrant public destination. Set on a compact site with a 30-foot grade change, the project brings together swimming pools, community spaces and neighboring civic amenities in a single, highly efficient complex.
Sustainability shaped every stage of the design. Targeting LEED Silver certification, the project combines ambitious environmental goals with a contemporary architectural identity, demonstrating how public buildings can balance performance, functionality and design.
Achieving those ambitions required materials that could meet demanding performance standards without compromising the building’s architectural vision. The façade became a key element of that strategy, helping anchor a contemporary public building within an established residential community.
CUPACLAD was selected for its ability to combine the natural character of slate with the performance of a rainscreen cladding system. The architects were particularly drawn to the appearance of natural slate, appreciating how it complemented the local roofing tradition.
For Gabriel Diaz, Vice President of Operations at M&D Contracting Inc., the decision was an easy one. “We loved the product from the start. Once we saw and touched the samples, we were really impressed by the beauty of the natural slate.”
Beyond aesthetics, the project also had to satisfy California’s demanding Title 24 Building Standards Code, one of the country’s most comprehensive sets of regulations covering energy efficiency and sustainable construction. Choosing the right façade material was therefore essential to meeting the project’s environmental objectives.
The complexity of the façade made close collaboration equally important. Over the course of the nine-month project, the teams at M&D Contracting and CUPA PIZARRAS worked closely on shop drawings, technical guidance and installation details to ensure the system was installed exactly as intended.
Diaz also praised the support provided throughout the project: “The support was phenomenal. Whenever we had a question, someone was always there to help. Everything arrived on time and the whole process went smoothly.”
The project also marks an important milestone for CUPACLAD in North America. Its custom Dentil façade is the first installation of this pattern on the U.S. West Coast, demonstrating the
versatility of natural slate in contemporary public architecture.
For M&D Contracting, the experience has reinforced its confidence in the system. Following the success of the project, Gabriel Diaz says CUPACLAD will be among the company’s preferred façade solutions for future design-build projects whenever it is the right fit.
In a state known for setting some of the world’s highest building standards, the Piedmont Community Pool shows how natural slate can help deliver public architecture that is both environmentally responsible and architecturally distinctive.
PRODUCT USED: CUPACLAD®
CUPACLAD® is a natural slate rainscreen cladding system which offers a range of cladding solutions, from traditional to contemporary
Other case studies
More than 250 roofs are installed per day around the world with our slate.
Natural slate CUPA PIZARRAS has been highly valued by architects and has been selected for important projects within many cultural and historic buildings of interest, modern architecture or the construction or renovation of traditional housing.
Other case studies
More than 250 roofs are installed per day around the world with our slate.
Natural slate CUPA PIZARRAS has been highly valued by architects and has been selected for important projects within many cultural and historic buildings of interest, modern architecture or the construction or renovation of traditional housing.
If you have any questions, our experienced team on slate is at your disposal.
