The Aquatics Centre Paris 2024, the Olympic swimming pool in Paris, designed by Amsterdam-based architecture firm VenhoevenCS and French architecture firm Ateliers 2/3/4/, turned out to be one of the most talked-about sports facilities of the 2024 Olympic Games. Located in suburban Saint-Denis, this modern aquatic center is a masterpiece combining sustainability, innovation and aesthetics. In this article, we review the crux of the design as well as talk to architect Cécilia Gross, of VenhoevenCS, who - now that the Games are over - already has a first evaluation with the answer to the question: did the expectations come true?
The two firms - a unique Dutch-French combination - designed the Olympic pool with a clear vision: to create a sports complex that not only meets the requirements of the Olympic Games, but also makes a lasting contribution to the Metropole du Grand Paris after the event. The design features modular and flexible use, allowing the pool to be adapted to the needs of the local community after the Games. This flexibility is essential to the long-term functionality of the complex, making the pool a valuable addition to the urban infrastructure of the French capital.
One of the most striking aspects of the design is the emphasis on sustainability. Venhoeven CS and Ateliers 2/3/4/ have made every effort to make the pool as environmentally friendly as possible. The use of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and heat utilization from data centers, has been integrated into the design. In addition, much attention has been paid to water savings: rainwater is collected and reused, and the pool's energy consumption has been kept to a minimum.
Everything in the design was conceived to be economical in energy, space and materials. This has been translated into an extraordinary and powerful architecture. This sustainable approach fits seamlessly with the broader goals of the Paris Olympics, which aim to create the most environmentally friendly Games ever. Most striking in the design are undoubtedly the spectacular wooden canopy and wooden slats in the facade, as well as the glass facades to the east and west. Partly because of this, the pool has also truly become a "landmark" in the Parisian
suburb of St. Denis.
The design is not only functional and sustainable, but also culturally significant. The two collaborating firms integrated elements of French and Dutch culture into the design, giving the pool a unique character. The collaboration has resulted in a design that not only fits the Parisian environment, but is really just a subtle tribute to Dutch innovations in water management and architecture.
It is planned that in the near future the pool will serve as a multipurpose sports center for the people of Paris. The modular nature of the building means it can be easily adapted for different purposes, from recreational activities to professional sporting events. From a fitness center to a climbing wall. And from recreational pools to teaching pools. As a result, the magnificent complex will remain an important part of Parisian infrastructure long after the last Olympic medal has been awarded.
Architect Cécilia Gross: "We did a great job!
Just a few weeks after the Games, architect Cécilia Gross is overwhelmed with pride and a "super positive feeling." She attended several swimming events during the Games and she saw that the experience was there in abundance. "In the spring we did have some test events in the pool. Simply to see how everything would work, how people would move. Obviously to be able to adjust things, because during the Games themselves you can't leave anything to chance. A building, this pool in other words, then just has to do what it promises to do."
"Of course I just enjoyed all the races, but of course I also took a good look around me. I noticed that the atmosphere in the pool was 'intimate' in a way. Everyone was close to the water. I also saw no congestion in the flow of visitors. You could easily get everywhere. And, the pool and everything immediately around it was also a place where people could meet as conceived. With that, we achieved the underlying goals of an Olympics. People should be able to connect with each other. So, I think we can conclude that the audience experience was at a high level."
Cécilia says that during her visit to Paris, she also simply asked people. "I talked to volunteers, people from security and even athletes. I got positive feedback from them as well. Strangely enough, people also found it an honor to talk to 'The Architect.' For example, I spoke to an enthusiastic clean-jumper from Jamaica. He even wanted to take a selfie with me! 'You Did A Great Job' he said. Well... I felt welcome. But so did all visitors and users apparently. So now I dare to conclude that the human scale of the building is one of the most important success factors."
When asked if, with the knowledge and experience of now, she would still approach various challenges differently in design the next time around, Cécilia shakes "no. "Of course I know that a flawless project never exists. Moreover, every project is unique. But it turned out to be what it needed to be. Here you are talking to a satisfied architect although still all the impressions also need to sink in further."
Yet the final judgment is not yet complete. In June 2025, the pool will open to Saint-Denis residents. "Only then can we speak of social impact. The building will then have truly become part of the community. For 'ordinary people', in other words. And of course, I hope that not only the Games in Paris but also this building itself will stimulate people to exercise and play sports. But I think this is going to succeed. All the omens point to it."