A SPLASH OF FUN
20 Sep 2018
The Swan River in Perth could soon be awash with activity thanks to a floating pool and amphitheatre that has been proposed by ARM Architecture. The Swan River Deck will feature river-filtered water that enables the pool to be used year-round and aims to create a thriving public precinct that encourages people to enjoy the outdoors to the fullest.
The team behind the proposal includes Grant Oldfield, director of Northstar Developments, Aecom, Oceanis International, APP Pracsys and Shape Urban. The Swan River Deck is an ambitious development plan by this team who wish to create a place that will reconnect the people to one of Perth’s most important natural resources.
The proposal features a colossal 100-metre swimming pool that would be filled with water filtered from the river, to be developed next to Elizabeth Quay and linked back to shore via a bridge. The pool will act as the main feature of the floating precinct, which will be surrounded by a sand-bar area for visitors to sunbake and dry off. A green-roofed slope will cover an event and exhibition space and behind this a large structure, shaped like a ‘splash’ would hold an outdoor amphitheatre and stage.
An Indigenous Cultural Centre and a cable car (which would connect the quay to Kings Park) was initially planned for the Elizabeth Quay area. The team have made allowances for that in their proposal, with the option for the pool to be constructed alongside these complexes.
The team has been developing the idea for a few years leading up to the proposal, and hope that the pool would elevate the overall value of the Swan River area. The design is all about “bringing people to the city and to the river” explained Oldfield. “In today’s society, people are looking for that fusion of the urban environment with the natural environment. It’s not just about being in a city, it’s about how you experience nature in the city. That’s where the idea comes from.
“By being on the deck you’re thinking about the Swan River, you’re thinking about the condition of the river, what’s going on there, the history of it, the cultural aspects of it and basically its getting people involved in the outdoors.”
Inspiration for the project was drawn from Plus Pool, a similar concept that has been proposed for New York City.
One of the deck’s key features would be its small environmental footprint. The filtration system would not only provide clean water for the pool, but would also help to improve the surrounding water quality.
An online survey is being used by the team to gauge public feedback, and the team has submitted the deck proposal to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ Perth Water Precinct Plan public consultation and have spoken to government and industry authorities.