Clear design language forms an inverted pyramid

Xiangfen Xingyuan Swimming Pool – the Waters in the Woods

published in sb magazine 3/2024 

Resonating with the history of the site, the design concept by Atelier KAI Architects fosters industrial architectural elements. The Xiangfen Xingyuan Swimming Pool is located on a former temporary industrial storage area. The striking V-shaped supporting pillars run through the entire building. A large number of skylights allow plenty of daylight to flood into the building. There is an outdoor platform on the second floor.
 

The swimming pool is located on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by several factories as well as villages and a secondary school. The site was originally the stockpiling area of the coal washing plant where the first process of smelted coal was to be cleaned. Initially, the swimming pool was designed for the workers of the factory and their families. During the design process the building gradually became publicly accessible. It was decided to open it to the inhabitants from the surrounding communities and to the pupils from the nearby school.