Public Waterfront Pools: 10 Aquatics Facilities Bordering Rivers and Oceans

Location: Matosinhos, Portugal
Year: 1966

Written by Belén Maiztegui | Translated by Maggie Johnson
Published on July 16, 2023

At first glance, building a pool right beside another body of water seems a little redundant. After all, why would someone choose to swim in a pool when they have a river or ocean to enjoy? However, for people with limited mobility and younger more inexperienced swimmers, natural bodies of water can prove both daunting and dangerous. Pools not only provide a controlled, secure space for them to enjoy aquatic activities, they also provide a connection with the surrounding landscape.

In any case, building a structure along the coast or a riverbank isn't simple. The process requires a profound understanding of the topography of both the land and the body of water. The ever-changing conditions of these landscapes caused by the ocean tides and the flow of the rivers blur the boundaries between manmade and natural structures and make designing and construction difficult. However, numerous architects and designers have taken the challenge and succeeded in building a connecting point between humans and these waterscapes.

Related Article:
Between Water and Land: 10 Projects of Promenades and Waterfronts

In celebration of World Oceans Day, we've compiled a selection a 10 projects centered on coastal and riverside pools that serve as both a recreational and leisure facility and a point of access to the surrounding landscape.