"To bring this design idea to life, all the panels had to be slightly curved. This aspect, along with the overall length of the two levels, made this project our most challenging endeavor to date," explains Mark Hoentjen, Managing Director of Underwater Windows.
The top level of this oasis consists of two large swimming pools, separated by an "island" with plants on it, offering bathers the opportunity to enjoy cool waters. The lower level boasts a total of four pools. Underwater Windows designs and implements these unique and special swimming pool concepts worldwide. However, this particular project was especially remarkable, even for the experts from the Netherlands.
In terms of construction, these pools truly stand out. They are made of concrete, painted white, and incorporate transparent panels that allow an unobstructed view into the pool. The entire structure appears delicate, thanks to the curved shape of the pools. Hoentjen and his colleagues spent approximately seven weeks in Albir to complete the project. The pool specialists utilized 45 panels of ACRYLITE® acrylic block in various sizes, known for their high-quality aquarium-grade, to construct the surrounding surfaces, covering a total area of 2,260 sq. ft., which give the pools their distinctive appearance.
The ACRYLITE® block elements, slightly curved and 3.5" thick, were assembled and seamlessly joined together in Spain. Normally, this process takes place at the Underwater Windows manufacturing facility in the Netherlands. However, when the final dimensions are too large to transport by truck, the elements are bonded together on-site.
ACRYLITE® block is completely colorless, significantly more durable than glass, and does not distort the view. An additional advantage is the 30-year warranty against yellowing, which is particularly crucial for pool construction. The acrylic material possesses inherent UV protection, resulting in minimal yellowing over the course of three decades, invisible to the human eye. ACRYLITE® can also be shaped without compromising its strength, allowing the sheets used in constructing the curved pools in Albir to easily withstand the water pressure—an essential factor when swimming at great heights.
Location: Albir, Spain
Fabricator: Underwater Windows
