As well as becoming the most modern in France, a new 25 m-long swimming pool in the Aquitaine region’s Mourenx sport centre was destined to be the first in its area to follow the High Environmental Quality (HQE) standard. This label, now commonly used in France, denotes an ‘environmentally-friendly’ process or product which reduces a building’s negative environmental impact while guaranteeing best running costs and offering maximum user comfort.

The pool forms part of an impressive, 450-person capacity water centre offering a solarium, massage benches, sauna and therapy areas. It was essential therefore, to utilise the latest technology to provide the best environment and ensure user comfort.

The centre also had to fulfil six objectives: to meet standards in energy and acoustic management, visual appeal, health considerations, water treatment and hydrothermal monitoring.

User comfort has been ensured through:
● computer monitoring of swimmers’ chlorine absorption,
● permanently treated and dehumidified air,
● minimal noise disruption – thanks to specific ceiling and wall construction,
● comfortable solar-powered internal temperatures,
● pleasant ambiance through natural light.

The building’s consumption of energy and its running costs have been reduced by:
● Solar roof panels minimising running costs – providing 30 to 40 per cent of the needs in sanitary hot water, while a thermodynamic system reuses heat.
● Constructing the façade with 2,400 m² of Pilkington Insulight™ Sun consisting of Pilkington Suncool™ 70/40 and Pilkington Optilam™. This glass construction maximises natural light into the pool, foyer, corridors and changing areas and minimises the solar heat gained through the glass. Consequently, the requirements for interior lighting and the need for heating/cooling the building are reduced – providing substantial energy and costs savings in the process. Swimming pools can present a challenge to control internal condensation that can lead to discoloration of internal decor or concentrations of chemical residues. By installing Pilkington Suncool™ 70/40 the internal pane temperature remains relatively high due to the thermal properties of the glass and the risk of condensation forming is reduced.
● The aluminium façade, which ensures direct access from the swimming pool to the terraced deck chair area through the use of electric sliding doors (12 m x 6 m and 6 m x 6 m), provides the highest levels of insulation through the use of a thermally broken frame, reducing further the need for heating or cooling the inside of the building.

IGU construction:
Pilkington Insulight™ Sun made of: 6 mm Pilkington Suncool™ 70/40 - Air 16 mm - Pilkington Optilam™ 10,8
Pilkington Insulight™ Sun made of: Pilkington Suncool Optilam™ 70/40 10,8 - Air 16 mm - Pilkington Optilam™ 10,8

Photography: © Luc Boegly