There are new plans to suspend a “sky pool” made of glass between two apartment blocks in London’s new Nine Elms quarter. The pool, which will be suspended 10 storeys-high, will be 25 metres long, five metres wide, and three metres deep. People will be able to swim between the two buildings that form part of the Embassy Gardens residences, while enjoying a birds-eye view of London through transparent glass casing, 20cm thick.
The aquarium-like structure was designed by architecture firm Arup Associates, who received guidance from structural design engineers Eckersley O’ Callaghan and aquarium designers Reynolds.
The residential blocks were developed by the Ballymore Group, and are replete with a rooftop bar, spa and orangery. An additional bridge between the blocks allow people to walk between the buildings, if they choose not to swim. Ballymore Group chairman and CEO, Sean Mulryan, commented: “My vision for the sky pool stemmed from a desire to push the boundaries in the capability of construction and engineering. I wanted to do something that had never been done before.” He went on to say: “The Sky Pool’s transparent structure is the result of significant advancements in technologies over the last decade. The experience of the pool will be truly unique, it will feel like floating through the air in central London.”
This new development has received much backlash, as people have pointed out that the block’s residents will be able to swim in a luxurious setting while “literally looking down on the rest of London”. It has been cited as a symbol for the widening gap in the London housing market. Indeed, residence prices at the Embassy Gardens soar above £600,000.
London’s Mayor has described the new block and swimming pool as “the most important regeneration story in London”. However, they have been advertised on billboards and in newspaper adverts across Asia, and this has led to the idea that the housing units may simply be bought as overseas investments and remain vacant.
