Summer is almost here in the Northern hemisphere and the hunt is on for the most perfect swimming locations. A London hotel looks set to take the cake with plans to construct a 360-degree infinity pool.
Compass Pools, a UK-based pool manufacturer, says they are on their way to building a 600,000-litre pool that would top a 55-story hotel. Plans aren’t fully confirmed but they hope to start construction early next year.
The pool is absolutely jaw-dropping - its walls and floor are all transparent that give lucky swimmers a view across London's’ skyline.
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The pool is constructed from cast acrylic which transmits light at a similar wavelength to water; so the pool appears completely clear.
Even better, you’ll feel like a member of the secret service entering and exiting the pool via a rotating spiral staircase based on the door of a submarine.
The pool is expected to be stuffed full of technology, like a built-in anemometer that will monitor wind speeds and a digitally-controlled building management system, that will make sure the water is always at the perfect temperature.
Pools are notoriously bad for the environment but this one makes some concessions. It is heated via waste energy from the air-conditioning system of the building.
Compass explains that the ‘hot gas that is produced, as a by-product of creating cold air in the building, will run through a heat exchanger to heat the water for the pool.’
Even if you aren’t into the idea of this pool, the new hotel will make a splash.
Lights fitted inside the swimming pool will give the building the appearance of a glittery jewel in the tiara of the city's skyline.
Compass Pools' swimming pool designer and technical director, Alex Kemsley commented: “Architects often come to us to design rooftop infinity pools, but rarely do we get a say in the building design because the pool is usually an afterthought. But on this project, we actually started with the pool design and essentially said, ‘how do we put a building underneath this?
“When we designed the pool, we wanted an uninterrupted view, both above and below the water.”
Swimmers in the pool will be treated to a view of London unlike anything else.
“Swimming in the Sky Pool at The Shard, it’s quite a weird feeling to have helicopters flying past at your level, but this pool takes it a step further.
“Pop your goggles on and with a 360-degree view of London from 220m up, it really will be something else – but it’s definitely not one for the acrophobic!,” Kemsley exclaimed.
Once completed, the Infinity London hotel will have a five-star international hotel on the top floors of the building, with the pool used by the guests.
“We faced some quite major technical challenges to this building, the biggest one being how to actually get into the pool,” Kemsley continued.
“Normally a simple ladder would suffice, but we didn’t want stairs on the outside of the building or in the pool as it would spoil the view – and obviously you don’t want 600,000 litres of water draining through the building either.
“The solution is based on the door of a submarine, coupled with a rotating spiral staircase which rises from the pool floor when someone wants to get in or out – the absolute cutting edge of swimming pool and building design and a little bit James Bond to boot!”
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