POOLSIDE WITH A VIEW

The Centre Aquatique Diabolo in Bourg-de-Péage, France, offers a wide range of pool-based activities as well as a spa. The location of the facility features a sweeping vista of unspoilt natural surroundings, which called for sensitive outdoor lighting that would contribute to this venue’s sense of identity.

The Centre opened its doors in 2012. It is jointly run by several local authorities and is located in a spot that is easily accessible from each municipality. With its bright facade rising from the flat surrounding terrain, the complex is visible from afar. The Centre needed to remain a clear point of reference even after nightfall, so the designers decided to use light to set off the building as centre stage.

As there is no competing lighting in the immediate vicinity of the swimming pool, the lighting designers opted for discreet, yet striking, illumination. WE-EF ETC140 inground uplights, installed close to the buildings, throw grazing light onto the lower section of the facade while post mounted FLC240 projectors are used to illuminate the forecourt. The precisely-aligned projectors distribute light to the traffic area of the forecourt as well as portions of the facade.

The parking area and access routes are illuminated by WE-EF RFL530 LED street and area lighting luminaires. The power consumption of these luminaires, already very low due to the energy-saving LED light source, drops significantly between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. when the car park lighting is dimmed by 50 per cent.

Architects: Atelier Architecture Abeille & Cogne Lighting Designer: Rive Barthélémy