HAL Architects designs 'swimmable bridge' that connects two residential buildings

Sky Pool, a swimmable bridge connecting two buildings in London’s Embassy Gardens development, has completed. The project sits alongside the US Embassy in Nine Elms, London.

The nearly 50-foot-long transparent pool connects the buildings ten stories up. Sky Pool was originally conceived as a swimmable aqueduct, but the design process evolved in order to take advantage of the views across London that the space offered.

Sky Pool at dusk

The pool is made of clear acrylic panels. The bottom of the pool uses 14.1-inch-thick panels while the walls measure seven inches thick.

HAL Architects designed the pool and claims it is the first-of-its kind in the world. Reynolds Polymers fabricated the panels and Eckersley O’Callaghan provided structural engineering services for the project.

Sky Pool aerial

Someone swimming in the Sky Pool

In this exclusive video interview for HorizonTV, Fred Pierce, CEO of Pierce Education Properties, developer and manager of off-campus student residences, chats with Rob Cassidy, Editor, MULTIFAMILY Design + Construction about student housing during the pandemic and what to expect for on-campus and off-campus housing in Fall 2021 and into 2022.