Big issue with 360-degree infinity pool

Source: News Corp Australia Network:

June 7, 2019 at 00:19

A 360 degree rooftop swimming pool could soon open in London. Picture: Compass PoolsSource:Supplied

A 360 degree rooftop swimming pool could soon open in London. Picture: Compass Pools The world’s first 360-degree infinity pool is set to be built on a London skyscraper, 220 metres in the air — but how exactly does this work?

The first rooftop infinity swimming pool with 360-degree city views is set to be built on top of a skyscraper in London.

New plans reveal the heart-stopping design that features four transparent walls and a clear bottom on top of a 55-storey building, The Sun reports.

The pool, called Infinity London, was designed by Compass Pools and would feature on top of a luxury hotel in the centre of the city.

Not only would it have an unobstructed view of the city, but there would also be a see-through acrylic bottom section in the middle of the swimming pool that has a view looking to the ground.

Confused Facebook users struggled to work out how to get into it, with one asking: “How do you get on top … jumping from helicopter?”

A 360-degree rooftop swimming pool could soon open in London. Picture: Compass PoolsSource:Supplied

However, to get into the swimming pool, the designers explained a James Bond-esque spiral staircase would emerge from the bottom of it.

“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,” Compass Pool swimming pool designer and technical director Alex Kemsley told e-architect.com.

A section of the bottom of the swimming pool would be completely transparent. Picture: Compass PoolsSource:Supplied

“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!”

Mr Kemsley said the pool’s design was more of a priority than on most projects.

“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,” he said.

“When we designed the pool, we wanted an uninterrupted view, both above and below the water.”

The swimming pool could be built as soon as next year. Picture: Compass PoolsSource:Supplied

The swimming pool will also be heated, using waste energy from the airconditioning system from the building below, as well as being lit up along the edges of the pool.

However, as the pool is more than 220 metres in the air, Alex added: “It’s definitely not one for the acrophobic!”

The location of the building in London is yet to be confirmed, but construction will begin next year when partners and contractors for the building are confirmed.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission