raum envelops renovated brittany pool and spa in black timber skin for thermal insulation

raum envelops renovated brittany pool and spa in black timber skin for thermal insulation

Raum renovates and expands public swimming pool in Brittany

 

French architecture studio Raum completes the renovation and extension of a public swimming pool and spa in Saint-Méen-Le-Grand, a small town in Brittany. Addressing the increasing demands of residents and young learners, the project introduces a sports pool and aqua-leisure area while restructuring the existing leisure pool. 

 

The design team builds upon the existing cluster of compact wood and slate structures found on the site, unifying them under a thermally insulated black wooden skin. This material enhances the energy performance of the building, establishing, at the same time, a clear visual identity within the heterogeneous context. Inside, the new pool area opens generously to the landscape, with a solid volume appearing to float above the space.

raum envelops renovated brittany pool and spa in black timber skin for thermal insulation
all images © Charles Bouchaïb, unless stated otherwise

 

 

consistent materiality and color scheme tie elements together

 

Situated near a listed heritage building, the Nantes-based studio Raum balances restoration and expansion, ensuring environmental and architectural continuity. Informed by a resource-conscious approach, the renovation strategy preserves as much of the original superstructure as possible. Three key principles guide the intervention: adapting to the volumetric diversity of the existing buildings, reinforcing structural coherence through an insulated envelope, and enhancing spatial connections to the topography of the site. 

 

The existing buildings were carefully studied to identify embedded volumetric qualities, ensuring the transformation remained coherent and sensitive to its surroundings. Interior spaces follow the same logic, with a unified material palette ensuring harmony between old and new elements. Exposed structural layers and a curated color scheme reveal the building’s evolution over time. This design approach extends to the exterior, where the varied outer volumes are unified through consistent materiality.

raum envelops renovated brittany pool and spa in black timber skin for thermal insulation
Raum completes the renovation and extension of a public swimming pool and spa in Brittany

raum envelops renovated brittany pool and spa in black timber skin for thermal insulation
the project introduces a sports pool and aqua-leisure area while restructuring the existing leisure pool

 

raum envelops renovated brittany pool and spa in black timber skin for thermal insulation
the new pool area opens generously to the landscape

raum-brittany-pool-spa-renovation-black-timber-skin-thermal-insulation-designboom-1800-02

Raum builds upon the existing cluster of compact wood and slate structures found on the site

raum envelops renovated brittany pool and spa in black timber skin for thermal insulation
large windows allow swimmers enjoy the view

raum envelops renovated brittany pool and spa in black timber skin for thermal insulation
the renovation strategy preserves as much of the original superstructure as possible

raum-brittany-pool-spa-renovation-black-timber-skin-thermal-insulation-designboom-1800-03

adapting to the volumetric diversity of the existing buildings

raum envelops renovated brittany pool and spa in black timber skin for thermal insulation
exposed structural layers reveal the building’s evolution

raum envelops renovated brittany pool and spa in black timber skin for thermal insulation
the new pool is located inside a solid volume that appears to float

 

 

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steel sliding doors separate the space
steel sliding doors separate the space
reinforcing structural coherence through the insulated envelope
reinforcing structural coherence through the insulated envelope
the dressing rooms are also part of the renovation
the dressing rooms are also part of the renovation
rounded corners add to the fluidity of the space
rounded corners add to the fluidity of the space
the existing buildings were carefully studied to identify embedded volumetric qualities
the existing buildings were carefully studied to identify embedded volumetric qualities
enhancing spatial connections to the topography of the site
enhancing spatial connections to the topography of the site
ensuring the transformation remained coherent and sensitive to its surroundings
ensuring the transformation remained coherent and sensitive to its surroundings
retro details connect the old with the new
retro details connect the old with the new
the black wooden skin thermally insulates the space
the black wooden skin thermally insulates the space
this material enhances the energy performance of the building
this material enhances the energy performance of the building
establishing a clear visual identity
establishing a clear visual identity
image of the existing interior before the renovaiton ©Raum
image of the existing interior before the renovaiton ©Raum
the existing structural elements are reinforced and remain explosed | image ©Raum
the existing structural elements are reinforced and remain explosed | image ©Raum

project info:

 

name: Renovation and extension of a public swimming pool and spa in Britanny
architect: Raum | @atelier.raum
location: Saint-Méen-Le-Grand, Brittany, France

 

photographer: Charles Bouchaïb | @charles_bouchaib

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom

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