Located within the Zonamerica corporate campus in Montevideo, Uruguay, a dedicated sports and wellness facility extends the conventional office environment by integrating physical activity, recovery, and social infrastructure into daily campus routines. The project operates on the premise that occupant wellbeing is directly linked to the physical and environmental quality of the space in which activities occur.

Spatial Configuration and Program

The building consolidates a gymnasium, a 20-meter heated swimming pool, changing facilities, and wellness areas into a continuous spatial sequence. Rather than dividing these functions into isolated units, the layout prioritises fluid circulation and visual transparency between internal zones and the surrounding landscape. Perimeter glazing maximises natural daylight autonomy, reducing artificial lighting demands during operating hours while establishing constant visual connections to external green spaces.

Mass Timber Engineering and Acoustics 

The primary structural system utilises mass timber as both the primary load-bearing framework and the finished interior lining. In the swimming pool hall, long-span exposed glued laminated timber (GLT) primary beams support cross-laminated timber (CLT) roof panels, combining structural performance, envelope enclosure, and ceiling finishes into a singular system. The exposed wood surfaces provide passive acoustic absorption, reducing reverberation times commonly associated with hard-tiled aquatic environments. Beyond indoor environmental quality (IEQ), the mass timber specification sequestered biogenic carbon during growth and substantially reduced the project’s upfront embodied carbon footprint compared to conventional reinforced concrete or structural steel alternatives.

Hygrothermal Control and Durability 

Exposing structural timber within a high-humidity aquatic environment required precise hygrothermal engineering. The building incorporates a specialized mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery, continuous relative humidity control, and continuous vapor control layers integrated into the building envelope. These technical measures control interstitial condensation risks and prevent moisture accumulation, protecting the timber elements from degradation while preserving the exposed wood finish over time.