Page 125 - AIT1118_E-Paper

Entwurf • Design Hawkins\Brown, GB-London
Grundriss Erdgeschoss • Ground floor plan
Grundriss Obergeschoss • Upper floor plan
Schnitt • Section
Bauherr • Client Freemen’s School (CLFS), GB-Surrey
Standort • Location Park Ln, Ashtead, GB-Surrey
Nutzfläche • Floor space 1.750 m 2
Fotos • Photos Jack Hobhouse, GB-London
Mehr Infos auf Seite • More infos on page 146
FREEMEN’S SCHOOL POOL
IN LONDON
This indoor pool shows a high degree of dynamics beyond
competitions. The expressive geometry of the roof above
the 25 metres long, six-lane competition pool emphasizes
the visual liveliness which, due to inside window areas, is
even noticeable for the spectators. In addition, the unob-
trusively designed pool appeals with clear structures and
a close connection to nature.
T he new indoor pool for school sports of the City of London
Freemen’s School is the second project of a four-stage master plan
that the architects Hawkins\Brown developed for the private school in
London. In a first stage, which was completed in 2014, the architects
already designed a new music school and a residential building for the
60 boarding students. An essential factor for the planning and the
implementation of all the partial projects is the aspect of monument
protection regarding the listed and identity-conveying main house con-
structed in Georgian style at the end of the 18th century according to
plans by Sir Thomas Wyatt and the starting point for the overall design.
The goal of further stages is the refurbishment of the main house and
the upgrading of the adjacent landscaping as well as constructing a new
playground. Combined as a boarding- and day school in Ashtead Park
in Surrey, the school concept provides the students from seven to 18
years of age with a broad spectrum of sports activities. The plan for a
new indoor pool originated of necessity since a fire had destroyed the
former indoor pool. In this context, the new pool was relocated from
the western to the eastern side of the campus and now stands in close
proximity to the other sports facilities. What is special about the indoor
pool is its close connection to the adjacent woodland. This results in a
high degree of interaction between the interior and the exterior space –
starting with indoor-outdoor perspectives all the way to the materials.
The building consists of glued laminated-timber frames which were
braced with laminated-timber boards. The rather unusual construction
for a swimming pool made an efficient, climate-neutral execution pos-
sible and a spatial design similar to nature at the same time. Stained
timber combined with white tiles, exposed concrete and spherical pen-
dant luminaires produce bright, unpretentious interiors. The high pro-
portion of glass in the façade as well as the floor-level basin borders
give the impression of swimming among trees. Vertical ribs as a design
element and also green curtains and upholstery complement the
impression of a natural outdoor space indoors.
AIT 11.2018 • 125