London is soon to become home to the UK’s first naturally filtered public swimming pool.
Contrary to modern techniques, the pool’s water will be kept clean using plants instead of chemicals or machinery. This self-sustaining ecosystem, named ‘of Soil & Water: Kings Cross Pond Club’, will be a habitat for the wetland fauna as well as provide the public with a new and uplifting experience.
The juxtaposition of this natural feature, planted within London’s urban environment, is the key to the experience intended for its bathers, as hustle and bustle of the city life can often distract or make one lose sight of the importance of re-connecting with nature — a simple act beneficial for both the mind and body.
The pool is designed to change with the seasons, with its wild flowers, grasses and bushes all adapting to suit its ever-changing climate. The project, which came together through a collaboration between Ooze Architects (Eva Pfannes and Sylvain Hartenberg) and the Slovenian artist Majetica Potrc, is part of the 27 hectare redevelopment plan of the King’s Cross station area.
Councillor for Regeneration and Growth in Camden Valerie Leach says: “This project is both a public facility and an art feature that will vastly improve the area by providing a little haven.”
This multi-sensory experience will be accessible to the public from the first week of May.
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