Aquatic Centre

Pragmatics and the New Zealand water hole This project looks to address a number of pragmatic requirements for the needs of a learn to swim aquatic centre. Two pools; one for toddlers and one for advanced children through to swim squads were to be incorporated in this purpose-built facility. Thermal performance and the use of a geothermal bore for both heating of the pool and the ambient air and pool surrounds look to address the biggest cost in the running of such facilities. These key economic drivers also drove the design where the heat exchanged heating capacity of the bore’s energy substantially reduces the ongoing running costs of the facility. Other features such as indirect lighting as well as daylight harvesting allow for further opex savings. On the fun side, the toddlers pool is set within a gardened edge at spectator seat level to give the fun idea of sitting in a New Zealand river water hole complete with native plants. This helps to soften the environment of the pool while also giving a nod to place and also to make the toddlers pool less daunting for small children.