the swimming pool project enlivens a neglected georgian town

 

hidden in the left bank of the georgian capital, the swimming pool project by designers nikoloz lomidze and alexander gharibashvili is a recreational open-air stage held and executed through the platform of tbilisi architecture biennial 2020. 

 

the space was once an abandoned olympic swimming pool situated in a neglected cinema town with hollywood-esque undertones. though open for public access, the area is quite neglected with a few spots occupied by guerrilla artists and musical schools. today, thanks to the repurposed swimming pool, the heart of the cinema town beats a little louder. the swimming pool project 1

 

FROM POOL TO AMPHITHEATEr

 

to reflect the new function of the space, the pool was converted into an 8-leveled amphitheater with the terraced seats complemented by stairs and a ramp for greater accessibility. this final design was made possible by building 7 cement block walls of increasingly different heights – and each space in-between the walls was filled and leveled with soil and gravel. reinforced slabs were also formed in the process. 

 

once the cement was dry, the entire surface was coated with a light blue color as a reminder of what the open-air stage once served as: a swimming pool. you can watch the opening ceremony of the project here! 

the swimming pool project 2

 

through this project, lomidze and gharibashvili created a public attraction point that can serve as a free recreational space, accessible to everyone, or even host various cultural events. 

 

abandoned swimming pool converted into open-air stage in tbilisi
the final design is an 8-leveled amphitheater reflecting the new function of the abandoned swimming pool

the swimming pool project 7
the amphitheater serves as a public, multifunctional open-air stage for various activities

abandoned swimming pool converted into open-air stage in tbilisi
the project offers a truly democratic approach to public activities – from rest to play

abandoned swimming pool converted into open-air stage in tbilisi
concerts, gatherings and other cultural events can be hosted within the amphitheater

the swimming pool project 5
detail of a terrace complemented by a stair step

the swimming pool project 4
a ramp was added to the amphitheater for greater accessibility

 

 

 

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project info:

 

name: the swimming pool project
designers: nikoloz lomidze, alexander gharibashvili

 

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: lea zeitoun | designboom