The deepest pool that even preschoolers can use? It's possible in Krakow. At the end of 2020, the long-awaited, modern swimming pool with a raised bottom was put into operation. The facility of the {tag:pracownie} project was built at Primary School No. 5, and everyone will be able to use it. In addition, the building houses a spa and fitness center.
The new swimming pool has been opened on Kijowska Avenue in Cracow.
© ARP Manecki
Krakow's new swimming pool, located on Kijowska Avenue, is extremely functional, thanks to a raised bottom, allowing different age groups to use the pool at the same time. The facility was designed to function as an independent spa and fitness center. The building was constructed at the Polish Olympians Elementary School with Sports Branches No. 5 in Cracow. This is a sports school where many famous athletes were educated, including Konrad Galka, a swimmer and Polish representative at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games.
The stands are designed for 155 people, and the pool has 6 lanes
© ARP Manecki
a new pool for everyone
The biggest design challenge for the architects of ARP Manecki 's office was to gracefully combine all the functions ofthe facility and create a space for different user groups.
Three of the pool's six lanes are elevated. Thanks to this solution, the swimming pool can be used simultaneously by kindergarten children and students of the sports school, who, for example, are undergoing training, explains architect Mateusz Manecki.
On the first floor there are stands and a training room
© ARP Manecki
The facility also includes a relaxation area, a conference room and a gym. The pool can be used by anyone, not just students of the elementary school to which the swimming pool belongs. A separate entrance from Chocimska Street has been designed especially for commercial users, and the various zones operate independently. Visitors can thus exercise in the gym without interfering with school activities at the pool. The conference room, which is located near the food court, can also function independently.
swimming competitions
On the second floor there are grandstands (for 155 people) connected by an open staircase to the pool beach. Also on the same level is a training room with storage, and on the opposite side of the pool, above the entrance hall, a cafeteria with facilities and a conference room with a loggia overlooking the pool. The L-shaped grandstands are designed to be comfortable for both athletes preparing for the start and spectators admiring the race. A podium placed in the central area of the pool hall is an additional motivation for young athletes.
The body of the swimming pool consists of three perpendicular segments
© ARP Manecki
The body of the swimming pool consists of three perpendicular segments. Two (north and south), which are divided by a central, vertically skewed section that houses the pool hall.
When designing this building, we took special care to form a clear functional-spatial layout, referring to the neighboring buildings and integrating it into the existing urban layout. We paid special attention to respecting the high greenery, invaluable in the strict center of Krakow," says Mateusz Manecki.
The architects created a clear functional and spatial layout
© ARP Manecki
Fifty people can use the pool simultaneously. The building also includes sports and recreational facilities: a salt grotto, a Jacuzzi and a relaxation area. Adapted lockers, showers and toilets are provided for the disabled. The facility also includes a passenger elevator that provides access to all floors. On the western side of the facility, along the pool hall, an outdoor grandstand was designed to complement the multifunctional field with a synthetic surface, a runway with a sand pit for long jump and a playground, which were created as part of the project.
