A rare, jewel: a gorgeous, glass-encased facility brings patrons closer to nature, while protecting Mother Earth.(PROFILES IN GREEN)

It is being called a "jewel," and is rumored to be the largest indoor natatorium in the state of California.

But the $13.2 million Lompoc Aquatic Center is as big in savings as it is in size. And this facility's green design influences make it one of the most unique in the Golden state, says Dan McCaffrey, director of parks, recreation and urban forestry for the city of Lompoc.

"Not only do we have something special for our community, but we also have the latest, most current, newest, different state-of-the-art technology to play with," he says.

The signature feature of the facility places people in the most natural setting possible. Housed in a 31,000-foot metal-and-glass enclosure with polycarbon panels, the swimming area is like a greenhouse, shielding swimmers from the foggy chill. "We wanted an outdoor feeling, but to be protected from outside influence," McCaffrey says.

Situated near the coastline north of Santa Barbara, Lompoc experiences warm Californian weather, but with a San Francisco fog that drives people indoors. The glass enclosure cost $1.8 million. And looks like it. At night the facility lights up "like a jewel," according to the Randy Mendioroz, principal for Carlsbad, Calif-based Aquatic Design Group, which penned the facility.

Inside this jewel are three swimming pools: a 12-lane, 25-yard by 25-meter competition pool; a leisure pool with water play equipment, a two-flume waterslide, and four lap lanes; and a warm-water therapy pool with wheelchair accessibility. Both the therapy pool and leisure pool will be protected under thermal blankets at night, to avoid heat and water loss. The city also adopted flooded suction pumps and high-efficiency heaters.

The glass enclosure not only provides natural light, but also air. Rather than run the HVAC system all the time, operators can pop open the roof and wall panels to ...