raum envelops renovated brittany pool and spa in black timber skin for thermal insulation

Raum renovates and expands public swimming pool in Brittany

French architecture studio Raum completes the renovation and extension of a public swimming pool and spa in Saint-Méen-Le-Grand, a small town in Brittany. Addressing the increasing demands of residents and young learners, the project introduces a sports pool and aqua-leisure area while restructuring the existing leisure pool. 

The design team builds upon the existing cluster of compact wood and slate structures found on the site, unifying them under a thermally insulated black wooden skin. This material enhances the energy performance of the building, establishing, at the same time, a clear visual identity within the heterogeneous context. Inside, the new pool area opens generously to the landscape, with a solid volume appearing to float above the space.

all images © Charles Bouchaïb, unless stated otherwise

consistent materiality and color scheme tie elements together

Situated near a listed heritage building, the Nantes-based studio Raum balances restoration and expansion, ensuring environmental and architectural continuity. Informed by a resource-conscious approach, the renovation strategy preserves as much of the original superstructure as possible. Three key principles guide the intervention: adapting to the volumetric diversity of the existing buildings, reinforcing structural coherence through an insulated envelope, and enhancing spatial connections to the topography of the site. 

The existing buildings were carefully studied to identify embedded volumetric qualities, ensuring the transformation remained coherent and sensitive to its surroundings. Interior spaces follow the same logic, with a unified material palette ensuring harmony between old and new elements. Exposed structural layers and a curated color scheme reveal the building’s evolution over time. This design approach extends to the exterior, where the varied outer volumes are unified through consistent materiality.

Raum completes the renovation and extension of a public swimming pool and spa in Brittany

the project introduces a sports pool and aqua-leisure area while restructuring the existing leisure pool

the new pool area opens generously to the landscape

large windows allow swimmers enjoy the view

the renovation strategy preserves as much of the original superstructure as possible

exposed structural layers reveal the building’s evolution

the new pool is located inside a solid volume that appears to float

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steel sliding doors separate the space

reinforcing structural coherence through the insulated envelope

the dressing rooms are also part of the renovation

rounded corners add to the fluidity of the space

the existing buildings were carefully studied to identify embedded volumetric qualities

enhancing spatial connections to the topography of the site

ensuring the transformation remained coherent and sensitive to its surroundings

retro details connect the old with the new

the black wooden skin thermally insulates the space

this material enhances the energy performance of the building

establishing a clear visual identity

image of the existing interior before the renovaiton ©Raum

the existing structural elements are reinforced and remain explosed | image ©Raum

project info:

name: Renovation and extension of a public swimming pool and spa in Britanny
architect: Raum | @atelier.raum
location: Saint-Méen-Le-Grand, Brittany, France

photographer: Charles Bouchaïb | @charles_bouchaib

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edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom