And we mean breathtaking, as swimming in a crystal clear acrylic pool that stretches 25 metres between two buildings would take a bit of nerve.
Once installed in the new Embassy Gardens luxury development on London’s South Bank, the walls of the pool will be 20cm thick and its 50 tonne weight will hang in the air 35 metres above the carefully manicured garden below.
A team of structural engineers, architects and aquarium designers have combined to answer the challenge of making it happen, including the team who engineers Apple retail outlets around the world and specialise in structural glass, Eckersley O’Callaghan. Says structural engineer Brian Eckersley, “You can look right down. It will be like flying.’
Likely to be floated down the Thames River for installation after manufacture, the Sky Pool will see its share of logistical challenges but, says Ben Blackwood, Senior Design Manager at Ballymore, who are spearheading the luxury development, "You have to have an open mind on a project like this."
"From logistics to lighting to landscaping, there’s a lot to think about. But somebody has to push the boundaries. If you worry about things, you’d never get out of bed in the morning."
Are you game?
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