plans are underway to build the world’s first rooftop 360-degree infinity pool in london. UK-based pool manufacturer, compass pools, unveiled its design for infinity london, a 600,000-liter pool that would top a 55-story hotel, allowing visitors to float over 200 meters above the capital’s skyline.
images courtesy of compass pools
the planned pool would be made from cast acrylic rather than glass, transmitting light at a similar wavelength to water so the pool will look perfectly clear. the floor of the pool is also transparent, allowing visitors to see the swimmers and sky above. swimmers will access the pool through a rotating spiral staircase based on the door of a submarine, rising from the pool floor when someone wants to get in or out.
other technical features include a built-in anemometer to monitor the wind speed, which is linked to a computer-controlled building management system to ensure the pool stays at the right temperature and water doesn’t get blown down to the streets below. it also has a transparent floor so visitors can see swimmers overhead, and an innovative heating system that captures hot gas produced through the building’s air conditioning systems to warm the water for the pool.
the pool would also be equipped with colored lights designed to give the tower the appearance of a sparkling jewel at night, while the pool walls and floor is made of cast acryclic instead of traditional glass.
‘architects often come to us to design roof top infinity pools, but rarely do we get a say in the building design because the pool is usually an afterthought,’ compass pool’s swimming pool designer and technical director alex kemsley commented.
‘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. we faced some quite major technical challenges to this building, the biggest one being how to actually get into the pool,’ alex adds.
‘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 liters 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!’
infinity london tower would be a 55-story skyscraper, with its upper levels occupied by a five-star international hotel. if all the partners and contractors are confirmed, infinity london could kick off construction as early as 2020. however, at this point, the project’s location is also not confirmed, so it remains an architectural concept.
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What could possibly go wrong?
Very nice. But how do you get into that pool??? Helicopter? Drones?
Absolutely ridiculous and and epitomises the rich of the Dubai crowd who wallow in superficial pleasures.
Alex – It says in the 5th sentence down – through a submarine!
No drinking allowed!
Duuuuh…. having a fixed “island” somewhere inside the pool’s surface, with downwards staircase, wouldn’t ruin the concept at all, but would make it feasible. You can bet it’s what they will come with IF they ever build this.
Lifesaver! Help me please!
What do the structural engineers say?
As an architect and as swimmer, I see that anyone can make an spectacular 3D -idea but a good architect -designer have to show ideas that are feasible…they must continue developing this idea otherwise it will never work, neither approved and succeed any planning permission….Yes 1) there is no access to this swimming pool! 2)not any safety measures! 3) no one will dare to swim there; the wind and the feeling of vertigo will scare many..Sorry as it is, it does not work!
How the heck do you get up to the pool? Also, infinity pools rarely go right to and edge like that, otherwise people would fall to their deaths if they popped over the railing like that. Also, water would be constantly draining down the side of the building. Usually there is a border around the pool at a lower level with a railing for both safety and to catch all the water… So the final building would never look like what is shown.
why not show us the rotating spiral staircase letting the users in and out?
…and it will “remain an architectural concept” to impress the freshmen…
No exit! Forever captured in that pool!
You’ll be hatin’ life if you manage to back-float off the edge, though.
” swimmers will access the pool through a rotating spiral staircase based on the door of a submarine, rising from the pool floor when someone wants to get in or out.”
I can´t understand how a fake-project like this can become viral without criticism all around the world-web; first in CNN, then papers, now desingboom…
I don´t know what is the purpose of these infographies of an unfeasible project. Indeed, this in unfeasible, not only because the technical issues of the pool but for the needs of the skyscrapper: where the lightning stick? where antennas? where HVAC?
Good luck getting that past Building Regs in London.
The building codes must be getting rewritten to allow this because this has danger written all over it. No safety anything…jumpers anyone?
To be honest, Architects sometimes are just plain stupid. Does this “brilliant” idea deserve to be executed? the over-design and anticipation of several issues will probably incur a huge cost, and all for what? for this ungodly sight? Please let me know were does the water overflow? is a software and some servos enough to counter the building sway? yet keep the pool filled to the rim to give the “infinity look”? Floating matter cannot be skimmed, filtering from below will not be efficient, what over-complicated solution should be needed to solve this? access in and out of the pool? Resting place for emergency? Lets just ignore all common sense for the “marvel”.
How to the swimmers get in?
uuuuuh I am getting prunie, can somebody get me out now…
I understand tall buildings tend to sway with wind. Even a small amount would cause that body of water to slosh back and forth. I’m not sure how effective the infinity part would work.
Tip top plouf boum clap down for ever. Nearly nothing.
…and where does the lifeguard sit? And where does he drag you when you need CPR? …
THIS IS A POOL, THAT IS STRICTLY FOR A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE. THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT A POOL FOR KIDS, SENIORS, AND FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO JUST HAD A COUPLE OF DRINKS. I STILL WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A THOROUGH CONCEPT OF HOW YOU GET IN THE POOL AND HOW YOU GET OUT OF THE POOL. NO THANKS, I DO NOT LIKE TO SWIM IN THE AIR.
How come almost everybody above is asking how to get in or out? It’s mentioned in the text, I say read before you respond. The thought / design of making such a pool is nice, even if it’s never going to be build. It sparks the imagination. So in that perspective it’s already a succesfull plan.
WHY?