Rehabilitation of a railway maintenance center into an aquatic center in Renens, Switzerland.
Theme and place:
The building is a former railway depot dating from 1875.
The old industrial building is mainly made of concrete because it is non-corrosive and fire-resistant, as it is lined with an internal metal structure.
The building benefits from several skylight openings and a good contribution of side light due to the numerous facade openings.
Architectural principle:
Reuse the ambience of the old railway center to link the station hall aspect and the aquatic center.
Willingness to have a contemporary touch in an old frame.
Aesthetic concept:
_Reusing the aesthetics of the railway center (the ceiling height, the hangar doors designed for train sizes, the zenith openings, and infrastructural poles) to create a reminder of the old function of the building.
_Creation of a modern building extension linking to the old one.
_Creation of zenithal openings above the diving pit to amplify the light and create a visual attraction for the divers to go back to the surface
Structural concept:
_Reuse of the internal structure of the building by keeping one pole out of two and doubling the beams of support.
_Creation of a modern structure based on the existing structure.
Intervention:
Ground floor
_reception
_sauna
_massages rooms
_solariums
_relaxation baths
_elevated pool
_diving pit
_technical rooms
1st basement
_administration