the world’s first 360-degree infinity pool could top skyscraper in london

plans are underway to build the world’s first rooftop 360-degree infinity pool in london. UK-based pool manufacturer, compass pools, unveiled its design for infinity london, a 600,000-liter pool that would top a 55-story hotel, allowing visitors to float over 200 meters above the capital’s skyline.

images courtesy of compass pools

the planned pool would be made from cast acrylic rather than glass, transmitting light at a similar wavelength to water so the pool will look perfectly clear. the floor of the pool is also transparent, allowing visitors to see the swimmers and sky above. swimmers will access the pool through a rotating spiral staircase based on the door of a submarine, rising from the pool floor when someone wants to get in or out.

other technical features include a built-in anemometer to monitor the wind speed, which is linked to a computer-controlled building management system to ensure the pool stays at the right temperature and water doesn’t get blown down to the streets below. it also has a transparent floor so visitors can see swimmers overhead, and an innovative heating system that captures hot gas produced through the building’s air conditioning systems to warm the water for the pool.

the pool would also be equipped with colored lights designed to give the tower the appearance of a sparkling jewel at night, while the pool walls and floor is made of cast acryclic instead of traditional glass.

‘architects often come to us to design roof top infinity pools, but rarely do we get a say in the building design because the pool is usually an afterthought,’ compass pool’s swimming pool designer and technical director alex kemsley commented.

‘but on this project, we actually started with the pool design and essentially said, ‘how do we put a building underneath this?’

‘when we designed the pool, we wanted an uninterrupted view, both above and below the water. we faced some quite major technical challenges to this building, the biggest one being how to actually get into the pool,’ alex adds.

‘normally a simple ladder would suffice, but we didn’t want stairs on the outside of the building or in the pool as it would spoil the view – and obviously you don’t want 600,000 liters of water draining through the building either.’

‘the solution is based on the door of a submarine, coupled with a rotating spiral staircase which rises from the pool floor when someone wants to get in or out – the absolute cutting edge of swimming pool and building design and a little bit james bond to boot!’

infinity london tower would be a 55-story skyscraper, with its upper levels occupied by a five-star international hotel. if all the partners and contractors are confirmed, infinity london could kick off construction as early as 2020. however, at this point, the project’s location is also not confirmed, so it remains an architectural concept.