Set within Dolphin Square, a residential complex in the heart of London, APP undertook a full commercial pool refurbishment following the failure of a previous renewal. Working within the original 1930s pool structure, APP delivered a new pool system alongside refreshed sauna and steam facilities, overcoming significant structural and plant challenges.

This is a technically demanding refurbishment carried out within the constraints of a historic 1930s structure, resolving a genuine structural failure left by a previous contractor. The tapered depth solution, the 70-80 metre plant routing beneath live squash courts, and a commercial-grade filtration and treatment system built to handle heavy daily bather loads all demonstrate APP's ability to deliver complex, high-stakes projects within existing buildings, correcting past mistakes while future-proofing the facility.

This was a complex commercial refurbishment, triggered by the failure of a previous pool renewal that hadn't stood the test of time. APP were called in to survey the pool, uncovering a leaking GRP balance tank and a badly undersized plant setup for a heavy-use commercial facility. Following the survey, APP were appointed to lead the specialist detailed design, working within the constraints of the original 1930s structural pool bund. The brief was to strip back to this original structure and rebuild an entirely new pool system within it, alongside new poolside sauna and steam facilities to complement the adjoining gym and members' club. Tile selection was carefully chosen to complement the refreshed interior design, ensuring the water colour sat well within the wider space.

Circulation pumps (x2) Hydrostar 700 Mk3, with VSDs High-capacity filtration for heavy commercial bather load, with variable speed drives for running efficiency. Filters (x2) Deepbed, 1,400mm Sized for commercial turnover demand; required new plant room doors for access. Flow monitoring Digital flow vis meter Tracks water usage, critical given the site's history of water loss. Heat exchanger Bowmans High-quality, reliable heat transfer for commercial-scale heating demand. UV disinfection Triogen medium-pressure UV unit Secondary disinfection to support water quality under heavy usage. Dosing system Bayrol commercial analytic automatic dosing Handles irregular, heavy bather loads while maintaining consistent water treatment. Control system Commercial control panel Centralised oversight of plant performance. Pool accessories Lane ropes; Dolphin iSwim pool hoist Supports lane swimming and accessible pool entry for users. Project Challenges: The project's biggest structural challenge emerged once the pool was stripped back: available depth at one end was severely restricted, requiring a tapered depth design to preserve adequate concrete coverage and reinforcement throughout. Working within an aged 1930s building added significant complexity, extending what was planned as a six-month pre-construction period into four years. The plant room's location, roughly 70-80 metres from the pool hall and accessible only via an underground car park beneath two squash courts, required early-stage pipework installation during the pre-construction phase to route services underground. Judging Points: This project stands out for the sheer complexity of rebuilding within a genuine 1930s structural pool bund, engineering a tapered depth solution on the fly once restricted structural depth was uncovered, and routing plant pipework roughly 70-80 metres beneath live squash courts via an underground car park. APP navigated a four-year pre-construction period without compromising design integrity, ultimately correcting a previous contractor's failed refurbishment with a commercial-grade filtration and treatment system built to handle heavy, irregular bather loads, alongside new sauna and steam facilities that expanded the wellness offer without extending the site's footprint.

Aqua Platinum Projects