Wandering Pools by 100 Architects | A revolutionary vision for floating urban recreation

A pioneering prototype that introduces movable waterfront floating pools to underserved communities and various areas of the city. This innovative concept spans across popular city spots, catering to leisure and urban activation...

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From the architect: The project aims to elevate citizens' experience of many UAE and KSA locations by providing a distinctive opportunity for enjoying the city from a different perspective. The groundbreaking concept has the potential to transcends cityscapes, infusing vibrant life into iconic city hubs while delivering unparalleled leisure experiences.

Inspired by the geometries found in Arabesque architecture, the design draws from door shapes, geometric patterns and arches present in arabesque vernacular architectural elements. This inspiration takes on a contemporary twist through vibrant colors and abstract forms, resulting in capsules that offer a VIP-like experience within the premises.

Designed as a versatile modular system, the Wandering Pools can be easily disassembled into compact docks and relocated to new locations for reassembly. All components are part of a pre-fabricated custom toolbox of amenities, including a water slide, diving platform, or a boat docking, which can be added or removed at will. These structures are constructed using CLT (cross-laminated timber), renowned for its flexibility and sustainability.

The floating system consists of a floating footing constructed from EPS white foam blocks interconnected by a metal structure. This floating slab acts as the foundational support on which a grid of steel beams is placed to create the ground floor for the project. Thanks to its exceptional buoyancy of 98%, this floating slab is virtually unsinkable.

The central floating platform of the project hosts two rectangular pools: a smaller, leisure-focused red pool, and a larger blue pool intentionally devoid of kids' features. Surrounding this pool space are eight VIP capsules, each offering a private resting and leisure area with direct access to open sea swimming, and designed with the highest levels of open-lounge luxury, accompanied by colorful geometric patterns that pay homage to local architecture.

Positioned prominently on the central platform is a small roofed pavilion hosting a cafe and restaurant. Crowned by a viewing deck, this elevated space introduces an element of excitement with its dual water slides cascading down to the red pool, adding an extra layer of enjoyment.

On both ends of the red leisure pool, two open capsules contribute charm to the complex: one imitating an Arabesque arch, and the other taking the form of a large heart-shaped structure, serving as urban lounge furniture and offering selfie-worthy settings.

Essential amenities such as bathrooms, open bed-lounges, showers, and lockers are also thoughtfully provided. Furthermore, a pontoon extends into the sea, catering to boats and yachts.

The entire complex maintains a connection to the land through a floating pontoon, not only linking to the pools but also securing the project's position.

Every detail has been considered to ensure a premium comfort, with essential amenities like bathrooms, open bed-lounges, showers, and lockers at your disposal. A welcoming pontoon extends into the sea, catering to boats and yachts, anchoring your aquatic experience.

The eagerly anticipated Wandering Pools are set to grace the shores of the UAE and KSA by the close of 2024. Our initial installations will dazzle at Dubai Marina, followed by The Palm West, Kite Beach, Al Fahidi Historical Quarter, Corniche Beach in Abu Dhabi, and the Jeddah waterfront, among other iconic locations. Stay tuned as we redefine how you enjoy the urban landscapes of Dubai. Join us in the pursuit of a fresh perspective and indulge in the unparalleled charm of the Wandering Pools.

Architect: 100 Architects (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Location: GCC (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah)
Size: 1,250 sqm
Project Management Team: Matias Hernandez, Raghad Obaid, Jenny Fan, Eva Jiang
Design Team: Marcial Jesús, Javier González, Mónica Páez, Lara Broglio, Ponyo Zhao, Keith Gong, Cosima Jiang, Michelle Aldora, Jango Zhang & Yuntong Liu