City of London Freemen’s School Swimming Pool

Project Info

The new 6-lane 25m competition pool replaces the original pool that was destroyed by a fire in 2014.

The project includes changing facilities, an annex and an energy centre. A cross-laminated timber (CLT) envelope, with minimal structural steel inserts, is supported by long spanning portal frames in glulam timber that are gradually skewed along the length of the building. Internally, the engineered wood has been left exposed and treated with a white stain, leaving the grain visible. The finish provides thermal insulation and corrosion resistance, which is of particular importance in a corrosive swimming pool environment. Prefabricated off-site, the structure was assembled on-site in just over three weeks. From detailed design to completion, the project took only one year.