Water | Concrete | Wood | Shira Lavi BD

The center is in the heart of a new residential neighborhood adjacent to the Yarkon River. The site includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool; a pool for swimming lessons; a cafe; luxurious showers and dressing rooms; an exercise gym; a sauna; and administrative offices.

The three design principles that guided us in planning the project were aimed at creating a space that is: minimalistic but also calming and warm; element-rich while modest in appearance; simple yet sophisticated.

Since the site is home to hundreds of visitors per day, it was important to us to choose strong and durable materials that could be optimally maintained for many years to come. At the same time, we focused on incorporating elegant and unique details, as well as various elements that would soften the space and offer a personalized feeling. The main materials used in planning the space were exposed concrete, Dekton, and oak wood.

Rhythm - the lockers, cabinets, and wall surfacing throughout the entire entrance space and corridor were designed according to a rhythm of repeating intervals, with widths of 20, 40, and 60 cm, depending on their practical usage. This rhythm offers guests a sense of flow, orienting them as they make their way to the pool. 

In the entrance lobby stands a five-meter-long reception desk, constructed of Dekton and oak wood, to welcome new arrivals. Installed to its rear is a floor-to-ceiling, double-sided wooden cabinet, containing storage units of various sizes. This serves as a natural partition between the reception desk and administrative offices. Beside the reception desk is a seating area arranged from wooden benches of various sizes, reminiscent of the stone seats used in ancient baths.

From the moment guests enter the site, they are accompanied by a lighting element in the ceiling and a grooved path along the floor, which run parallel to one another and mark the way from the main entrance to the corridor, and from there to the pool.

Along the entire length of the corridor is a large partition comprising hundreds of guest lockers on both sides. The partition separates the corridor from the dressing rooms, where guests can get ready before entering the pool. The floor-to-ceiling doors leading into the dressing rooms are covered in faux locker fronts, seamlessly integrating into the element’s visual front. Upon reaching the end of the corridor, the guest completes the track and sees the Olympic-sized swimming pool spread out before them.

The client wanted to ensure that it would not be possible to see into the pool from the outside, or vice versa. We therefore chose to fit the facade of the building with frosted glass, which filters the incoming light and creates a gentle, calming atmosphere. Along the main facade, we installed angled, slatted panels with windows in between. As such, the outside is not viewable from the inside, yet soft light can enter from between the gaps.

The space offers guests an experience of detachment from their routine, fast-paced lives. Thanks to its sparse coloring and materials, we succeeded in creating a space that is minimalistic yet warm; quiet and relaxed; luxurious while also modest.