Swimming pool and design – The winning combination in architectural projects

In recent years, design has become a necessary condition for pool buyers and consequently also for architects. Although initially limited even to the largest architectural projects, the design of the swimming pool has today become more economical and accessible for everyone, thus constituting an additional value in the field of swimming pool construction.
We met Lionel Thabaret, architect at "Cent7 Architecture" and winner of the "most beautiful tourism and leisure pool" prize at the international Pool Vision competition held as part of Piscine Global 2016 for the project "The sources of the Haut-Plateau" in Saint- Bonnet-le-Froid (SE France).

Design- When the pool takes center stage

The swimming pool is an important value for an architectural project, whether it concerns private or public use. "Today, swimming pools have become necessary spaces for relaxation and rest and are built in harmony with the architectural project in which they are located. The ideal solution is to build the project around the pool. With plots becoming smaller and smaller, swimming pools are increasingly important features of architectural design. In fact, architectural techniques are used to highlight the pools. Water plays with light, shifts it, filters it. For example, if we can add a window to the outside space above the pool, creating an interaction between the liquid and solid elements, we try it in every way", underlines Lionel Thabaret.
"All our works tell a story. We try to build on existing features and reinvent them. So we designed vertical knobs and bronze door handles specifically for the Haut Plateau spa springs. These unique pieces help to create a sense of special identity. It's that hidden element that makes you feel comfortable or not."

Ever increasing demand

Although there is an ever-increasing demand to place a pool at the center of the architectural project, budget issues may postpone the construction of the pool after the building is constructed. Regarding swimming pools located in hotels, the demand has also changed: “Spas are becoming more and more popular. Swimming pools are becoming more and more versatile and cover a wide variety of uses."

Swimming pools for leisure are becoming a habit

For Lionel Thabaret, the idea of a “wellness pool” has moved to the concept of a “leisure pool”: “Building a pool for the home means giving friends and family a place to gather and have fun together. Private home swimming pools have changed both in terms of size and function. Today there is a real market for high quality pools specially designed by architects in collaboration with pool and spa professionals. The design thrives in the pool and spa area.”

Integrating swimming pools into architectural projects

Pool design involves thinking broadly about issues such as sun exposure and ensuring that the environment exterior it will be in harmony with the interior design of the house in which it is located. There should be a balance between the pool and the house: “When we build a house, we imagine it around the pool and think about the combination between the two. Sometimes our customers have specific requirements regarding the surrounding area of the pool but usually they trust us. Designing an architectural project involves finding solutions to reconcile the client's desire and the technical limitations of the plot as well as the project. Usually customers know what they don't want, but find it extremely difficult to articulate what they do want. So our role is to guide them!". When it comes to renovation, the approach is often more complex and constrained. Architects are rarely called upon for such projects, unless it is to move the entire property.

Pool architects and specialists: balanced approaches and complex relationships

In the working groups of architectural projects concerning the design of swimming pools in houses or public buildings, swimming pool experts should be the key members. This partnership is vital and requires all members to be aware of their partners' profession as well as their limitations.
For the “Springs on the Haute-Plateau” project in Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid (SE France), a public project that won an award, 107 architects submitted a proposal to a consortium with the input of an engineer specializing in water issues, as Lionel Thabaret explains : “During the bidding process we were selected as the company to lead the consortium for the design and construction of the entire building. We prepared the specifications and the design office managed to carry out all the work related to the swimming pool in the building, hiring external partners with expertise in each type of equipment”.
With private residential projects, the relationship between the architects and the pool experts is more direct: "We consult them and ask them to estimate the cost of the project we have in mind. The relationship is not always clear because our requirements may be unusual, but their expertise in relation to tightness, networks and filtering is very important.”
These different areas go hand in hand and must learn to work in perfect harmony so that we can think today about the plans for tomorrow's pools.

Pool design at the heart of Piscine Global Europe

With the current conditions of increasing demand for swimming pools in architectural projects and emerging new materials and techniques, architects attending Piscine Global Europe from 13 to 16 November 2018 will have the opportunity to gain specialized and innovative information regarding with the pool and spa. The show is also the ideal place to meet pool builders and experts and discuss their particular needs and limitations.

•The POOL DESIGN AWARDS
This competition was created to reward the creativity and technical excellence displayed by architects. It is open to all architects, pool designers and gardeners from around the world.

•Seminars dedicated to design
-Is Pool Staging the pivot of the future?
– Inspirational design: presentation of an award-winning project at the Pool Design Award.

• Debate on "The miracle pool of Noailles-Villa". (Participation is allowed for Majors Club exhibitors, international federations and journalists).
On the occasion of Piscine Global Europe, which will take place at Lyon-Eurexpo from 13 to 16 November 2018, come and discover the latest products, modern solutions and educational programs related to swimming pool architectural design.