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The steel frame at the Eccleshill pool was corroding and became structurally unsound, so much so that the pool faced closure unless a refurbishment solution could be found


PoolRefurbishment AUG 2011 SPN


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SHEDDING NEW LIGHT ON OLD PROBLEMS


Modern lighting technology is now playing a dramatic and often stunning role in the transformation and refurbishment of tired if not neglected swimming pools.


The options for new technology and new products, energy saving and insulation is particularly important for facilities which have reached critical stages because their structure and glazing have failed and where the stringent new Building Regulations make normal patching up impossible. Much of this is to do with daylighting. Another trend is the potential for windowless pools to follow the evolution of sports halls. Sports halls, like some pools, were often windowless ‘black boxes’. Today, they all enjoy natural daylight, commonly using high performance systems which will diffuse the daylight and which, unlike glass, eliminate the sharp contrasts of light and shade. In other words, the absence of shadows and glare will create ideal swimming conditions where the need


There are now many advantages of using fibre optics over traditional lighting sources


for curtains or blinds is eliminated and the interior ambience stunningly enhanced. Even if old pools largely rely on artificial lighting, there are now many advantages of using fibre optics over traditional lighting sources. One of the most obvious is the facility for colour- changing and adaptability to create ambient moods and different schemes for different times of the day or special events. Fibre optics are low maintenance with the advantage of having the light source separate from the fittings which makes lamp changing more convenient and safer as the light projector can be sited well away from the pool area and at ground level. The light ends are also cool to the touch, very important bearing in mind children with bare feet are often playing near and around the fittings.


Eccleshill swimming pool is a local authority run leisure centre near Bradford. Built in the 1960s, the original design was a steel framed curtain wall with plywood cladding panels. The steel frame was


Eccleshill pool in Bradford where the Kalwall diffused daylighting system has made a dramatic difference


corroding and became structurally unsound, so much so that the pool would have to be closed on safety grounds unless a cost effective refurbishment solution could be found to solve the problem. The agreed solution was to demolish the flank wall and rebuild in a different, modern type of construction. It was important to retain a large element of fenestration by installing a translucent system which would generate quality, useable daylight within the space, while maintaining privacy. The Kalwall translucent cladding and rooflighting system has been introduced to diffuse natural daylight into the pool, greatly improving the interior ambience. Running costs have been reduced because of the improved insulation and there is less reliance on artificial light, while overheating on sunny days has been eliminated. Visitors can now swim in a private and safe environment because there is less glare on the water, making it easier for the lifeguards to see a swimmer in distress. Seen at night, the internal artificial lighting makes the building glow. Kalwall is unique in its ability to distribute diffused daylight evenly as ‘museum-quality’ light, without the need for blinds, curtains or solar control and to eliminate the stark contrasts of light and shade. The system is particularly popular for sports halls and pools because of its ability to create ideal playing and swimming conditions. There are many local authority swimming pools, such as at Bradford or Letchworth, whose walls and windows needed replacement. Clearly, the science of refurbishing pools can certainly be called building transformation – or, if you prefer, it is back to the future! Project publications specifically about Kalwall for Schools, Pools and Sports Halls are available from Stoakes Systems – www.stoakes.co.uk


i FOR FURTHER INFORMATION


F LIGHT PROJECTS GROUP ( 020 7231 8282 : www.lightprojects.co.uk


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