Brief description

Like a large pier, the equipment is intended to be an architectural signal among the natural spaces of Lake Dagueys. Visible from the opposite shore, it nestles deeply into the vegetation and integrates it into its design. The three pools, the recreational areas and the wellness center also benefit from wide views of the lake through the west and south facing windows. The building is elevated to place the bottom of the pools above the highest water level, thus protecting it from the risks of flooding and rising water tables. 

The architecture of the aquatic center is first of all marked by the great height of the sliding tower, a powerful impetus which must not, however, crush the whole. Thus, to respond to it, two faults are arranged in vertical projection and bring breath, greenery and light. The eastern facade, that of the reception, alternates white cubic forms and orangey ochre surfaces embodied by a metallic mesh. Seen from the other side, the western façade reveals the strong presence of the wellness center, white and luminous, between the metallic façades of the pool halls. The silhouette of the entire aquatic center thus becomes perfectly legible: pools, a fitness center, a summer slide area and so many islands of light and greenery facing the lake.

 

What makes it an exemplary sustainable building

Saving of filter water and bathing comfort by ceramic membrane

Savings over 30 years : 

• 225,000 m³ of water saved or 750,000 300-liter bathtubs ;
• 610 000 € in water and energy. Hypothesis: cost = 5€ /m³ of treated and heated water.

 

Supply of new water from the lake

Savings over 30 years : 

• 813,000 m³ of water saved or 2,710,000 300-liter bathtubs;
• 2.8 M € in water.

The annual water savings represent the annual consumption of 200 four-person households.

100% biomass heating with absorption heat pump

Carbon savings over 30 years: 15,100 tons of CO2 avoided or 151,000,000 km in a Clio, which is equivalent to 3,775 times around the Earth.

Thermodynamic air dehumidification

Advantages : 

• 40% reduction in energy consumption compared to a solution without thermodynamic air dehumidification ;
• no electricity consumption ;
• biomass heating and thermodynamic dehumidification equivalent to 3.1 M€ savings in heating and cooling.

 

Photovoltaic

The electrical consumption of a swimming pool being considerable, the production of electricity by photovoltaic collectors in self-consumption makes it possible to cover 60% of the needs necessary for the filtration and circulation of water in the indoor pools.

 

Sustainable development approach of the project owner

Interview with Jean-Louis Arcaraz, City of Libourne, 4th deputy in charge of sports, safety and prevention, community advisor in charge of sports, published in the July-August 2021 issue of "Archistorm" magazine.

The aquatic center of Libourne, named La Calinésie, has just opened its doors and its pools to the public. Can you go back to its genesis?

The Libourne area, like so many other French territories far from the coast, was strongly lacking in swimming pools and aquatic centers. This paradox had to be remedied. We then initiated a feasibility study seven years ago. More than 100,000 people were contacted by our services to define with them their needs, their wishes, their desires and their visions of such a facility. Very quickly, the image of a hybrid facility combining sports pools and recreational areas took shape in our minds. We visited 17 facilities in France and Europe, including the aquatic centers of Limoges and Saint-Amand-les-Eaux, designed by AP-MA Architecture. Based on numerous observations and feedback, two of our collaborators and I completed our specifications. It was indeed important for us to work in a small team in order to define and follow our project as well as possible. We immediately imagined a facility with swimming pools and sports pools inside, a friendly area sheltered from the sun for children and exceptional infrastructures (stainless steel pool with curves and counter-curves, dizzying slides) outside, large terraces on which to walk and halls in which to enjoy the entertainment of the place for those who do not swim. We then launched a European architectural competition. 35 agencies responded. We selected ten projects, then five. Surrounded by a jury, we elected AP-MA Architecture as the project manager for our future aquatic center. AP-MA's proposal perfectly projected our program and integrated the future facility into its natural environment, a Natura 2000 zone, while bringing its technical expertise to bear on a low-energy architecture.

The Libourne aquatic center stands out for its innovative environmental choices.

We were obsessed with one idea from the start of the project: the use of water from the Dagueys' lake by the aquatic center. What could be more logical than making this link? Obviously, we did not know what a challenge this would be, both technically and administratively. We needed the agreement of the Regional Health Agency, which had never been invited to consider this type of subject. Furthermore, we chose to carry out this project on a self-managed basis and not as a public service delegation. We remain the only ones in charge of the operation of the site, and therefore of the guarantee of sanitary standards. AP-MA, with the support of the Soja engineering firm, designed a very strict technical protocol, based on a water purification unit, then on an ozone and ceramic filtration unit. This technology obviously led to additional costs for the Libournais agglomeration community (Cali), notably because of the digging of tanks in the lake, but this was offset by the water savings: 50,000 m3 per year! The ARS authorizes us to use the water of the lake for the filling of the basins during one year. We hope that after that, we will have the right to use it for other purposes, such as showers, in order to multiply the savings. When you consider that an aquatic center is one of the most energy-intensive architectural programs, there is a lot to be said for it. The energy savings are mainly due to the choice of biomass heating. Our agglomeration community has acquired a forest that will supply 50% of the wood chips over the next three years. The rest will be purchased from a supplier located 30 km from Libourne.

What about the architecture of the place?

The site that I have been visiting daily for months now is taking the shape we dreamed of from the beginning. The architects have designed a building that is attractive to look at and pleasant to live in, with its parallelepipedic volumes, its slits of light and its high frameworks. The aquatic center breathes, is welcoming, and offers the visitor magnificent views of the Natura 2000 zone. The flow of bathers, individuals, schools and others, is optimal, and this is obviously a primordial point in the design of a swimming pool. We finalized the interior design by adding a maximum of plants and colors on the walls, in addition to the furniture and signage provided by AP-MA Architecture. This architecture will make possible the ambition of Calinesia: to go beyond its status of aquatic center and become a meeting place. Thanks to the numerous terraces, thanks to the movable floor of the sports pool and to the presence of bleachers, thanks to the restaurant and the snack bar, we will be able to organize numerous events: exhibitions, projections, concerts, literary meetings. We launched the festivities on June 21st, during the Fête de la musique.

Architectural description

Located on the right bank of the lake of Dagueys, the aquatic center of the community of agglomeration of Libournais is inserted in a zone with strong environmental stake. Part lookout, part boom, part vegetated breakwater, the building retranscribes in its own way the atmosphere of a long-distance embarkation by inviting users to take the high ground before jumping into the water.

 

Dialogue with the landscape

Like a large pier, the equipment is intended to be an architectural signal among the natural spaces of Lake Dagueys. Visible from the opposite shore, it nestles deeply into the vegetation and integrates it into its design. The three pools, the recreational areas and the wellness center also benefit from wide views of the lake through the west and south facing windows. The building is elevated in order to place the bottom of the pools above the highest water level, thus protecting it from the risks of flooding and rising water tables. The relationship with water is not only visual but also vital: the lake feeds the pool, bringing it the water of the pools and the softness of the air of the halls.

 

Horizontality and verticality

The architecture of the aquatic center is first of all marked by the great height of the sliding tower, a powerful impetus that must not, however, crush the whole. Thus, to respond to it, two faults are created in vertical projection and bring breath, greenery and light. The eastern facade, that of the reception, alternates white cubic forms and orange-ochre surfaces embodied by a metallic mesh. Seen from the other side, the western façade reveals the strong presence of the wellness center, white and luminous, between the metallic facades of the pool halls. The silhouette of the entire aquatic center thus becomes perfectly legible: pools, a fitness center, a summer slide area and so many islands of light and greenery facing the lake.

 

Light and comfort

The light and the distribution of the spaces are finely studied to offer the visitor the best possible experience. In the southwest corner, in connection with the leisure pool, a large mineral solarium, for example, takes advantage of the overhang on the lake. In its continuity, the aquatic play area benefits from the shade provided by the fitness center located on the first floor. In the southeast corner, a large lawn with trees isolates the other users from the noisy activities taking place in this sports and recreational area. The metal mesh bathes the entire site, creating soft light effects throughout the day. Inside, it acts as a sunshade, creating the best lighting conditions for the swimming pools.