Piscine de l'Orient

Piscine de l'Orient

The renovation of the Piscine de l’Orient in Tournai is rooted in a strong commitment to landscape integration and openness toward the exceptional quarry setting. The project creates a seamless dialogue between interior and exterior spaces, where pools and sunbathing areas extend the experience of well-being, including an outdoor pool designed for swimming in direct contact with nature. From the stands, solarium, pools, and wellness areas, users benefit from continuous visual and sensory immersion in the surrounding landscape.

Accessibility and site legibility were key drivers of the design. A new universally accessible footbridge ensures fluid and inclusive connections between the upper and lower levels of the site. Traffic flows were reorganized to limit car presence: the upper site is now fully pedestrian, while the lower level is reserved for deliveries only, improving safety and quality of use.

The intervention is based on a careful reading of the existing structure, preserving the original pools and technical basements, which were reorganized outside current installations to optimize resources while respecting the site’s historical footprint. Built within a former quarry, the project addresses complex topography through prefabricated extensions that integrate precisely with the existing building and reduce construction impact.

A robust sustainability strategy underpins the project. Quarry water is treated on site, supplying up to 50 m³ per day, significantly reducing water consumption. Energy performance is substantially improved through efficient cogeneration, upgraded HVAC systems, optimized water treatment, and on-site chlorine production via salt electrolysis. The quarry itself functions as a natural buffer for rainwater management, reinforcing a resilient, circular environmental approach.