Berners pool, grange over sands

By: Stephen Hodder+partners

source: http://www.hodderandpartners.com/projects/berners-pool-grange-over-sands

Leisure Center and accessibility

Accessibility

Pool hoist:

is a machine that works as an elevator or left, for people with special needs in a swimming pools..

Ramp access

Disabled toilet

Disabled changing facilities

Wheelchair access to poolside facilities

I'll add the rest of the points later

Virgin Active GYM visit ..

I've been yesterday to virgin gym in London Rd, Nottingham as a part of the field visits to some local leisure centers in Nottingham.

I met Joe Lumi (right) , who graciously volunteered to take me on a tour to see the club's facilities and answer my questions.

I will list the place description,  the notes of the workers and the my notes as well as a bullet points..

The space:

* The modern refurbished center is located within an old building.

* Runs through a rectangular layout.

* In the middle, a long corridor where the activities are distributed on the right and left.

* Facilities : 

1. Before the main control point:

reception desk

Shop

2. After the control point

1 public exercise studio beside a private one for ladies

changing rooms, lockers, w.c ...etc ( available for men only, women only and for families as well )

internet zone

cafe

3. Extra safety point

2 pools

The workers think:

• The place is very convenient for the number of visitors and deservedly done the required role.
• They never noticed any disagreements because people have common goal in a place which is their fitness.
• Despite the lack of the swimming area of privacy, but they do not pose any problem in their opinion due to the fact that the center has not received any notes asking for time dedicated to women only.
• Believed that the center has satisfied all users in shower area. A separate  women and men facilities, plus space for those who wanted families, as well as satisfy wheelchair users by providing elevators.

However,

• W.c and changing facilities are not in the perfect location.
• Cafe is a bit small, especially in rush hour.

I'll add my observations later..

Source: text by Ghaydaa Hemaidah, Photos: from internet

Harmony against Conflicts

Pools movable floors

Movable pool floor






Hydrofloors vertically movable floors enable the userr to exploit the surface area of a swimming pool by converting the associated terrace or indoor pool room for other uses e.g. recreation, social events, for dining and dancing.

The system is near invisible, flexible, rapidly adaptable and safe, being in compliance with relevant national safety standards. The concept is that the floor height of the pool may be elevated to set at any pre-selected water depth such as wading depth for children or a depth suited to those with special needs. This makes the pool itself diverse and multifunctional.





The highest elevated position of the floor is that of the pool surround, at which point the water is out of sight beneath the floor. When fully elevated, the entire area becomes totally safe and secure for children to use. Additionally, since the pool is fully closed, energy costs for heating are greatly reduced.

I found a video  shows that ..

Source: http://www.archiexpo.com/prod/hydrofloors-sprl/movable-pool-floors-63185-167425.html

Lifting platform for public pools

Variopool understands the needs of pool staff, therapists and the end users when it comes to moving the elderly and disabled comfortably and with dignity into a swimming pool. The Variopool adjustable access platform is the easiest and most comfortable way in which to enter a pool as you can use it standing up or in a chair.

The platform uses an electrically driven servo motor to adjust itself to the desired pool depth. This independent unit can be installed alongside a new pool or can be situated in a corner of an existing pool with a minimum depth of 1.50m.

The platform can also be supplied with removable handrails filled with synthetic safety plates (optional).

The finish of the platform consists of a white anti-slip polypropylene top deck which is perforated to allow for proper water passage during its operation. The type of the front panel will depend on the final design of the platform and associated

Material:All metal parts used underneath are stainless steel 316L and steel parts located in the technical are made from coated steel.

Operating the platform is easily done from a control panel securely mounted nearby against the wall. An optional remote control can also be supplied.

Source: http://www.archiexpo.com/prod/variopool-bv/movable-floors-for-public-pool-50088-166462.html

Musholm Bay Holiday Resort -Winning Proposal-

Location: Denmark,

The resort is acknowledged as the world’s most innovative holiday resort for people with disabilities. The expansion of resort is divided into two sections in the form of a multi-purpose sports hall and a number of new holiday flats.



The sports hall is located at the heart of the resort, while the flats are located in the periphery. In this way, the activities spread in ever-widening circles from the sports hall to the flats by which the expansion provides a dynamic layout for the future resort. In addition, the layout offers panoramic views of the bay and the scenic surroundings from the sports hall and the flats.




They strove to raise the bar for socially sustainable architecture by providing all visitors, whether they are disabled or not, the opportunity for active and attractive holiday experiences. Thus, we have infused the architecture with a distinctive sensuousness in our desire to create a fully accessible and engaging environment.



The holiday resort breaks with the ordinary. The multi-purpose sports hall includes an activity ramp which provides visitors, whether they are disabled or not, the opportunity to challenge themselves physically. The activity ramp offers a wide range of platforms and activity spots, including a climbing wall for wheelchair users. Based on the sports hall’s many activities, the expansion fortifies Musholm Bay Holiday Resort as a place that breaks with the ordinary and invites people with disabilities to play, participate and create new friendships.



In this way, the expansion not only carries on the resort’s architectural quality and atmosphere. The expansion also raises the bar for socially sustainable architecture by providing all visitors, whether they are disabled or not, the opportunity to enjoy an active and physically challenging holiday. Thus, the expansion sets new standards for how accessible solutions can be implemented into architecture and how architecture can be infused with a distinctive sensuousness in order to create a safe, comfortable and engaging environment.






Source: http://www.archdaily.com/370561/musholm-bay-holiday-resort-winning-proposal-aart-architects/

Changing the projects programmatic !!

?!

After today's session with Joe and meeting Stefan later, we decided that I might need to go a step back , which I don't mind at all..
I went back through the objectives of the concept which is "Harmony against Conflicts" and the first hints I gave in my previous presentations which were recreation, community, leisure, pool..etc.  I realized that I might really lost the path to some extent. Stefan has suggested changing  the programmatic of the project to match both the main concept -Conflicts and Harmony- and the time. To do a community leisure centre which is more likely to have conflicts as the users are coming to entertain on their own way.
I have e-mailed Joe and I'll see her opinion ..

Harmony against Conflicts