Reform of the exterior swimming pool Vichy Catalan
credits
Site: Caldes de Malavella
Client: SA Vichy Catalan
Year of the project: 2018
Construction: 2018
Area: 2900m2
situation
description
more H2O, less CO2
Using the splendour of the gardens of Hotel Spa Vichy Catalan, the reform of the swimming pool integrates it in its natural context, both in the aesthetic aspects and in energy and water management.
The first and very important decision was to reduce the area and the depth of the pool, in order to transform it into a relax-area, which would only need a third part of the original water volume; a considerable saving. The position of the pool in the garden is such that the swimmer goes towards the trees and the vegetation, entering into the natural surroundings.
The rainwater falling on the terrace and on the roof of the dressing rooms and the bar is being led to already existing ditches in the garden, that become natural rainwater deposits. From here the water penetrates into the subsoil and from existing wells the water can be used for the irrigation of the garden vegetation.
The client wanted to lengthen the swimming-pool season warming the water to 28ºC, and the project proposed to do so through photovoltaic renewable energy. The aerothermal installation is high efficiency and the excess of energy in the summer is being used in the hotel. The water of the showers that have their deposit integrated in the shower-column, heats directly through the UV-rays of the sun. The metallic structure of the pergola FV, that projects shadows on the terrace of the bar, sustains also the façade and the roof of the dressing rooms building.
The façade of reflecting green glass dilutes the geometric plans of the building as it reflects of the surroundings, whereas at the water of the two canals repeat the images of the Balinese Beds that are placed on top of the water, so that they are refreshed through the evaporation under them. The architecture takes on the colours of the surroundings.
