Location: Moscow, Russia.

Architect: UNK project.

The authors of the Luzhniki Swimming Pool reconstruction project used the method of thinking as authors of a historical building to reconstruct the design method itself. The original swimming pool, built in the 1950s as part of the Luzhniki Sports Complex, had decayed and become outdated. The reconstruction project aimed to enlarge the building in length and height while keeping the general style and certain parts of the original building. The southern and northern walls with their authentic elements and colonnades were stretched to reach the originally designed balance with the Small Sports Arena. The attic was decorated with an enlarged replica of former facade historical bas-reliefs, and the lightness of the attic floor was achieved through a delicate ornamental structure consisting of circles referring to Olympic events. The increase in volume allowed for the addition of three sports and fitness swimming pools, an aqua park with nine water slides, sports and training rooms, SPA-zones for relaxation, and food courts. The building is covered with a transformer rooftop, and two sections open in opposite directions to allow visitors to enjoy the sun in the spring-summer season. The new building maintains the basic features of the old one and stylistic unity with other sports buildings of the Luzhniki Complex.

Photo credit: Dmitriy Chebanenko, Evgheniy Egorov.