{"id":201513,"date":"2025-10-15T09:45:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T09:45:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/201513\/"},"modified":"2025-10-15T09:45:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T09:45:10","slug":"studio-dera-converts-disused-swimming-pool-into-flexible-teaching-space","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/201513\/","title":{"rendered":"Studio Dera converts disused swimming pool into flexible teaching space"},"content":{"rendered":"

Local architecture practice Studio Dera has transformed a disused swimming pool<\/a> into The Pool, a multifunctional, light-filled teaching space<\/a> for Waltham Forest College in London<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As the college swimming pool was rarely used and the school’s student body was rapidly expanding, Studio Dera<\/a> repurposed the pool to create a flexible space for both teaching and extracurricular needs.<\/p>\n

\"TheStudio Dera has turned a disused swimming pool into a flexible teaching space<\/p>\n

“With The Pool, we wanted our design and build to retain the existing volume and footprint of the original swimming pool while also transforming the space into a multifunctional teaching centre,” Studio Dera co-founder Max Dewdney told Dezeen.<\/p>\n

“The geometry and rhythm of the original pool shaped the new layout, with the exposed ceiling structure reflecting the original design,” he said.<\/p>\n

\"FlexibleThe space is organised across various levels<\/p>\n

The 994-square-metre, open-plan space is organised across multiple levels. Plywood benches are dotted across the tiered levels of the space, offering informal seating.<\/p>\n

In the pool’s former deep end, Studio Dera added an elevated stage for lectures, performances and assemblies.<\/p>\n

Taking advantage of the depth, an IT room is tucked below the stage, enclosed by sliding wooden doors.<\/p>\n

\"DesksFixed desks are located around the perimeter<\/p>\n

Around the perimeter of the former pool, fixed desks framed by slatted timber panelling were designed to be used for individual study and small group work.<\/p>\n

Existing windows along the east and west sides of the room were enlarged to increase the levels of natural light, with seating integrated into the window bays.<\/p>\n

\"PersonThe studio opted for a natural material palette<\/p>\n

According to Studio Dera, material choices were guided by principles of durability, circularity and low embodied carbon<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The pared-back, natural material palette consists of FSC-certified birch plywood<\/a>, recycled acoustic panels and low-VOC finishes, with a variety of plants interspersed throughout the space.<\/p>\n

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Linehouse transforms Shanghai swimming pool into office space\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

An acoustic curtain was added to facilitate flexible teaching and study uses, enabling different spatial configurations.<\/p>\n

“By utilising warm timber, soft acoustic finishes and planting, we created a calm environment that supports focus and wellbeing,” said Dewdney.<\/p>\n

\"AcousticRecycled acoustic panels were integrated into the space<\/p>\n

To improve thermal performance, triple-glazed windows were added alongside new insulation to internal and external walls and insulated pipework.<\/p>\n

Other interventions designed to optimise energy efficiency include air source heat pumps, mixed-mode ventilation and LED lighting.<\/p>\n

\"ExteriorTriple-glazed windows were added alongside new insulation<\/p>\n

From the early stages, Studio Dera collaborated with students and staff from Waltham Forest College to conduct workshops around spatial strategies, technical requirements and user priorities.<\/p>\n

Following the completion of the retrofit project, the studio has continued to tweak the design based on user feedback.<\/p>\n

Other London educational buildings recently featured on Dezeen include a woodland centre made from an old shipping container and military parachute<\/a> and a gridded concrete university building for London College of Fashion<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The photography is by Lorenzo Zandri<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Project credits:<\/p>\n

Architects: Studio Dera
Project manager: Leadenhall
Structural engineer: Structural Design Studio
MEP engineer and acoustics: CPWP
Contractor: IMS Building Services<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Local architecture practice Studio Dera has transformed a disused swimming pool into The Pool, a multifunctional, light-filled teaching…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":201514,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[13233,6225,6485,6486,1120,1398,96,388,1904,40339,40340,87432,56119,56,72686,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-201513","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arts-and-design","8":"tag-adaptive-reuse","9":"tag-arts","10":"tag-arts-and-design","11":"tag-artsanddesign","12":"tag-design","13":"tag-education","14":"tag-entertainment","15":"tag-london","16":"tag-schools","17":"tag-sectionall","18":"tag-sectionarchitecture","19":"tag-sports-centres","20":"tag-swimming-pools","21":"tag-uk","22":"tag-uk-schools","23":"tag-united-kingdom","24":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/201513","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=201513"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/201513\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/201514"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=201513"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=201513"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=201513"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}