This approach sometimes leads to buildings that are larger than they need to be to accommodate all of the program elements. That’s because certain waterpark attractions have vertical requirements that drive the height of enclosure. As a result, these projects usually have an excess of volume that must be mechanically conditioned, lit and paid for that do not necessarily contribute to financial, operational or aesthetic goals.

Guests in these facilities usually have the same choices:
• Climb up and slide down a large play structure
• Walk around the level deck surrounding the perimeter of said structure to find all of the adjacent pools
• Circulate around in a lazy river, and then climb up one or more slide towers to ride down the various tubes, slides and channels.

But there’s another way: layering.

In nature, layering happens everywhere you look, from mountains to trees. So we thought, “Why not do the same thing with indoor waterparks?” Rethinking typical waterpark elements in a layered way gives guests a new and exciting way to use, see and experience indoor environments.

Consider circulation. Providing different physical deck levels and layers of vegetation, rockwork and the like creates vistas from which guests can continually discover a different viewing angle of a feature, or a new sight line back to a food and beverage concession. These different perspectives allow them to click into the “Boy, I could go for a snack and drink right now!” response.

The utilization of mezzanines allows projects to elevate play structures, children’s activity pools, wet decks, or slides. By raising elements off the facility’s lower levels, other water elements or support spaces then can reside all or partially under these mezzanines rather than side by side.

Creating opportunities to experience the park from various vertical levels also opens up an endless box of thematic opportunities. Meanwhile, support elements such as video and redemption arcades, food concessions, full-menu restaurants, restrooms, lockers and retail spaces can be seen from various angles and points of view. This continually reminds patrons of the areas and encourages them to spend their money there.

All of the above help to reduce the required footprint of the building while better utilizing the volume of the structure, which is typically already being constructed. And though layering costs a bit more, many waterpark resort owners and managers have found the additional space it affords and the improved guest experience well worth the cost. It’s like getting 40,000 square feet of amenities in a 35,000-square-foot footprint.

Projects that promote vertical and horizontal layering of space offer patrons experiences far superior to the typical facility with a clear front and back of the space. The guest experience can and should be considered from all angles and positions within the facility. There is no reason guests’ enjoyment and visual satisfaction in a distant corner of an indoor facility needs to be any less than when they first enter.

In fact, if guests are satisfied throughout the entire facility and they can see, utilize and promote different points of sales and amenities, the word-of-mouth marketing and return trips will quickly pay for themselves.

Then your facility won’t be the only thing layered — so will your profits.