Architecture

Studio Octopi proposes River Thames swimming pools

Studio Octopi proposes River Thames swimming pools
Studio Octopi has designed concepts for swimming pools in the River Thames
Studio Octopi has designed concepts for swimming pools in the River Thames
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Studio Octopi has designed concepts for swimming pools in the River Thames
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Studio Octopi has designed concepts for swimming pools in the River Thames
The idea is in response to 'London As It Could Be Now,' an open call ideas project
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The idea is in response to 'London As It Could Be Now,' an open call ideas project
The idea was inspired by Thames Water's plans to create the Thames Tideway Tunnel 'Super Sewer'
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The idea was inspired by Thames Water's plans to create the Thames Tideway Tunnel 'Super Sewer'
The Thames Tideway Tunnel would reduce sewage in the River Thames by 96 percent
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The Thames Tideway Tunnel would reduce sewage in the River Thames by 96 percent
If it receives planning approval, the Thames Tideway Tunnel would be due for completion in 2023
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If it receives planning approval, the Thames Tideway Tunnel would be due for completion in 2023
As well as serving visitors, the pools would benefit fish, birds and plants
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As well as serving visitors, the pools would benefit fish, birds and plants
Areas adjacent to the pools would mimic the salt marshes that can be found along the River Thames
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Areas adjacent to the pools would mimic the salt marshes that can be found along the River Thames
The initial designs are based at Blackfriars Bridge Foreshore and King Edward Memorial Park Foreshore
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The initial designs are based at Blackfriars Bridge Foreshore and King Edward Memorial Park Foreshore
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London architecture firm Studio Octopi has designed concepts for the creation of natural swimming pools in the River Thames. The designs were a response to "London As It Could Be Now," an open call ideas project developed by The Architecture Foundation with Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and the Royal Academy of Arts. Participants were asked explore ideas that raised awareness of the Thames and increased people’s interaction with it.

Studio Octopi describes its Thames Baths Project as “an intimate and playful link between Londoners and the historic lifeblood of the city, the River Thames.” The pools are supported by timber and steel piles that allow them to rise and fall with the tide. As well as providing an attraction for swimmers, they would provide a habitat for fish, birds and a range of flora.

Areas adjacent to the swimming pools would mimic the salt marshes found along the Thames to actively improve the river’s ecology. The salt-marsh areas would be a mix of planted and naturally colonizing plants such as rushes, water plantains and ferns.

The Thames Baths concept was initially based upon plans by Thames Water to construct a new "Super Sewer," the Thames Tideway Tunnel (due for completion in 2023 planning permission dependent), that if completed will remove 96 percent of sewage currently entering the Thames. The initial designs are based at Blackfriars Bridge Foreshore and King Edward Memorial Park Foreshore, two of the proposed sites for the Thames Tunnel construction. Whilst the tunnel isn't a necessity for the proposal to be moved forward, a clean-up program of some sort for the Thames would be required in its absence.

According to Studio Octopi, Sir Joseph Bazalgette’s London sewage system, that was constructed 1865, is at the limit of its capacity and in 2012 a total of 39 million tonnes of sewage was released into the Thames as a result of 57 combined sewer overflows. The Thames Tideway Tunnel would supposedly reduce this figure to a maximum of four overflows per year.

Similar projects are aimed at building swimming pools in the rivers of New York City and Berlin.

Source: Studio Octopi

View gallery - 8 images
7 comments
7 comments
The Skud
I agree with the writer, some sort of 'serious' sewage reduction would be essential before starting up. All the neat design features in the world will pale if you are swimming among passing "mars bars' or whatever after overflows upstream.
bergamot69
Just four major sewage leakages into the Thames in future?
I don't think I'll reach for my swimming costume...
Brian M
With the current floods its hardly necessary, the Thames is already in your living room!
Magnetron
I'd be surprised if the Thames could ever be cleaned up to the point of people wanting to swim in or near it. It's just had too much pollution in the living memory of anyone who knows it to forget about it and dive in.
Looks pretty though and some of the other features would be welcomed. Maybe Boris Johnson and family would like to promote the swimming side of things? lol
Gerard Gallagher
This reminds Me..Any news since on the Pool concept that was intended for New York a couple of years back? (http://www.gizmag.com/plus-pool-kickstarter/28233/ - Ed.)
Nairda
How do you stop the ducks from getting in there and messing it up
Richard Guy
I have swam in the Thames (accidentally - sailing dinghy capsizes a few times) and it's incredibly cold... gasp reflex cold. I cannot imagine many people would actually want to swim in one of these things on all but the hottest of days.