BATHS
Sydney Water
Sydney, Australia
2023
Away from its coastline, Australia has surprisingly few swimming places – and opportunities to swim are particularly scarce in less affluent communities. Wanting to start a conversation with local councillors and developers about increasing access to water across the city’s territory, particularly in those neighbourhoods furthest distant from its beaches, Sydney Water commissioned a technical report illustrating a series of different swimming scenarios.
In each, the design rebalances Sydneysiders’ connections to water in a sustainable way, where possible using simple, recyclable or rentable components, and always taking full advantage of the natural assets available.
Scenario 1 is added to an existing swim site. The steel circular shaded benches have secure storage, PV, power and emergency beacons.
Scenario 2 is an offline natural pool, in a parkland setting above the floodline. The pool is naturally filtered as part of the local ecosystem.
The tow-in pool in Scenario 3 draws from Thames Baths and other floating pools. Timber pontoons cluster around the river water pool, which is like a 'colander' to keep out unwanted wildlife.
Scenario 4 (linear) is a pop-up swim site, initiating new access to water where it’s currently unavailable.
Scenario 4 (piazza) is a pop-up swim site, initiating new access to water where it’s currently unavailable.
Inspiration for Scenario 1 from Norway. A steel stair allows safe access to the fjord.
Sydney Morning Herald, Sunday 27th August 2023