New Swimming Pavilion in Rotselaar
Basic information
Project Title
New Swimming Pavilion in Rotselaar
Full project title
Renovation of the Swimming Pavilion at the Lake of Rotselaar
Category
Reconnecting with nature
Project Description
The commune Rotselaar has transformed its old Swimming Pavilion into a beautiful, sustainable and inclusive building in harmony with its natural surroundings. The new Pavilion is located on the shores of the lake of Rotselaar, its main recreational area, which attracts people from the entire country to swim, windsurf, enjoy the sun, and be together with friends and family. The Pavilion improves this experience by providing vital services such as showers, food, drink, shade, meeting spaces, etc.
Geographical Scope
Local
Project Region
Rotselaar (Flanders), Belgium
Urban or rural issues
Mainly rural
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
The New Swimming Pavilion is located on the shores of the lake of Rotselaar. It was renovated with specific focus on enjoyment, sustainability, climate change, and the central role of the beautiful natural surroundings. When the old Pavilion could no longer properly support the influx of visitors, Rotselaar decided to renovate the building. In a process of 8 months, the Pavilion was stripped down to its concrete skeleton and renovated into a humble building that invites visitors to come and enjoy the environment. The lake and its wooded environment are the beating green heart of the region. In the summer months it hosts up to 3000 visitors a day that come to swim, fish, surf, and play in its waters. In the winter it is still accessible to people to walk and sit on benches to enjoy the view.
The Pavilion fulfills many functions. In the summer months, it is the main recreational hub of the area. People can order drinks, wash in the outdoor showers, and sit at tables. In the winter, the outdoor area can be visited but swimming is not permitted. The indoor areas are used for events. There is a modular wall that can be removed to increase the size of the indoor area by a third.
The Pavilion has a pointed roof and pillars emulating grand monuments and temples of old. However, despite its grand structure, the Pavilion is designed to be unobtrusive and humble. The building’s colors are natural blues and yellows that remind people of the lake and its sandy shores. The roof consists of a bright metal that reflects its surroundings which causes the building to further blend into the background. This material choice and its colors allow the Pavilion to meld into the natural surroundings. Without distractions, people can relax, sit, and enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the area. This will lead to happier and healthier people. The sustainability of the building also ensures that carbon emissions are minimalized.
The Pavilion fulfills many functions. In the summer months, it is the main recreational hub of the area. People can order drinks, wash in the outdoor showers, and sit at tables. In the winter, the outdoor area can be visited but swimming is not permitted. The indoor areas are used for events. There is a modular wall that can be removed to increase the size of the indoor area by a third.
The Pavilion has a pointed roof and pillars emulating grand monuments and temples of old. However, despite its grand structure, the Pavilion is designed to be unobtrusive and humble. The building’s colors are natural blues and yellows that remind people of the lake and its sandy shores. The roof consists of a bright metal that reflects its surroundings which causes the building to further blend into the background. This material choice and its colors allow the Pavilion to meld into the natural surroundings. Without distractions, people can relax, sit, and enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the area. This will lead to happier and healthier people. The sustainability of the building also ensures that carbon emissions are minimalized.
Key objectives for sustainability
Sustainability was a central goal. Large parts of the old Pavilion were reused. The main concrete structure of the pillars and floor was kept and incorporated into the new design. During the production process of concrete, enormous amounts of carbon are emitted, so by reusing existing concrete a large share of carbon emissions in this project was slashed. The roof was largely removed but its structural wooden beams were still in good shape. These were reused and prevented more deforestation. The floor was raised so insulation material could be inserted and a new latticework of pipes could be laid for ventilation and heating. The building was retrofitted with an air/water heat pump to supply heat in the winter and (passive) cooling in the summer. This prevents the use of fossil fuels such as natural gas or oil for heating which is the major source of carbon emissions in Belgium. Via a 20 000l tank rainwater is captured to supply the sanitary block.
Climate adaptability was also central. The Pavilion sits in an area of significant flood risk. After meetings with the regional environment agency (VMM), an increase of the floor level by 13cm was advised to ensure the building was floodproof for 2050 and in the event of a flood, water would not enter the building. In the case of a larger-than-estimated flood, it is also possible to install partitions that should keep most of the flood water out of the building. The lake is also one of the few locations in the area where it is possible to swim outdoors. This will be vital during the warm summer months and the more frequent heat waves that climate change will cause. Furthermore, 600m² of stones were removed to increase the infiltration capacity of the ground. Flanders is one of the most water-insecure regions in the world with often low levels of ground water. By removing stones preventing water infiltration, this project contributed to regional climate goals by enabling natural water infiltration into the groundwater.
Climate adaptability was also central. The Pavilion sits in an area of significant flood risk. After meetings with the regional environment agency (VMM), an increase of the floor level by 13cm was advised to ensure the building was floodproof for 2050 and in the event of a flood, water would not enter the building. In the case of a larger-than-estimated flood, it is also possible to install partitions that should keep most of the flood water out of the building. The lake is also one of the few locations in the area where it is possible to swim outdoors. This will be vital during the warm summer months and the more frequent heat waves that climate change will cause. Furthermore, 600m² of stones were removed to increase the infiltration capacity of the ground. Flanders is one of the most water-insecure regions in the world with often low levels of ground water. By removing stones preventing water infiltration, this project contributed to regional climate goals by enabling natural water infiltration into the groundwater.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The main goal of this project was to increase the quality of people’s lives by enabling them to have a positive experience with the local natural ecosystem. Rotselaar is a very green municipality with about 60% of its territory covered by some form of nature such as fields, farms, trees, rivers, etc. This gives people many opportunities to experience nature. One of the hubs for this experience of nature is the lake of Rotselaar. It lies, engulfed by trees, in the middle of a small forest. This is the reason that the building was designed to be humble and unobtrusive. The Pavilion does not need to be a grand building that catches the eye. It needs to give space to nature’s beauty to speak for itself. That is why the Pavilion strives to blend into its surroundings. It is simple and unassuming. The visitor’s experience of nature and their simple enjoyment come first.
This centrality of nature has been incorporated into the humble and unobtrusive aesthetic of the building. The building’s colors are in line with the environment’s colors. The walls are painted with a dark blue to remind people of the deep waters of the lake. The floor is covered in yellow stone which subtly masks the transition of the building to the sandy shores of the lake. This way the building itself emulates the lake. The roof consists of metal that faintly reflects its surroundings which causes the building to further blend into the background. This material choice and its colors allow the Pavilion to meld into the natural surroundings. While there used to be many smaller structures close to the old Pavilion, the new Pavilion groups all these structures under one roof and removes them from people’s minds. Without these distractions, people can enjoy everything nature has to offer to its very fullest extent.
This centrality of nature has been incorporated into the humble and unobtrusive aesthetic of the building. The building’s colors are in line with the environment’s colors. The walls are painted with a dark blue to remind people of the deep waters of the lake. The floor is covered in yellow stone which subtly masks the transition of the building to the sandy shores of the lake. This way the building itself emulates the lake. The roof consists of metal that faintly reflects its surroundings which causes the building to further blend into the background. This material choice and its colors allow the Pavilion to meld into the natural surroundings. While there used to be many smaller structures close to the old Pavilion, the new Pavilion groups all these structures under one roof and removes them from people’s minds. Without these distractions, people can enjoy everything nature has to offer to its very fullest extent.
Key objectives for inclusion
Visitors came from all over Belgium to enjoy the lake of Rotselaar before the transformation of the new Pavilion. It was becoming such a popular spot for social gathering and enjoyment of nature that Rotselaar decided it was time for an overhaul of the infrastructure. Now, with the new building and improved area, the infrastructure has been expanded to accommodate a higher number of visitors and to improve their experience of the environment.
The use of the building is socially flexible and inclusive. Everyone is welcome. In summer it is used as a gathering place for visitors with a shaded terrace, drinks are served, people relax, and life guards have a small office. In the winter, a modular wall can be removed to add the life guards’ office space to the main hall increasing the total space by a third. This indoor area can be used to host parties, events, and meetings. Because of the diversity of visitors from all over the country, the Pavilion contributes to a richer social life and a healthier social mix for all visitors. There was also a specific focus on accessibility for people with a physical disability. Both the building and the beaches are wheelchair accessible via paved paths broad enough for foot traffic in both directions. This popular meeting space with its multifunctional utility contributes to a more closeknit community experience increasing the social sustainability and inclusiveness of the project.
The use of the building is socially flexible and inclusive. Everyone is welcome. In summer it is used as a gathering place for visitors with a shaded terrace, drinks are served, people relax, and life guards have a small office. In the winter, a modular wall can be removed to add the life guards’ office space to the main hall increasing the total space by a third. This indoor area can be used to host parties, events, and meetings. Because of the diversity of visitors from all over the country, the Pavilion contributes to a richer social life and a healthier social mix for all visitors. There was also a specific focus on accessibility for people with a physical disability. Both the building and the beaches are wheelchair accessible via paved paths broad enough for foot traffic in both directions. This popular meeting space with its multifunctional utility contributes to a more closeknit community experience increasing the social sustainability and inclusiveness of the project.
Results in relation to category
The Pavilion was finished in June 2023, so the results are limited so far. The new building has only been in service for a single summer and received 15 442 visitors. This number is of course highly dependent on the weather. The Pavilion was equipped with a more robust data gathering method to keep track of visitor numbers and occupancy levels. This will allow the local government to respond to crowding problems more effectively.
The main beneficiaries of the project are the users/visitors and the owner of the building and area. The main direct outcome of the project for its visitors is the expanded sanitary facilities. They are larger and cleaner which leads to a better enjoyment of the lake. An indirect benefit for the visitors is increased mental and physical health due to a closer proximity to nature and more physical movement. The owner of the building and general lake area is the Flemish Agency for Nature & Forests (ANB). For ANB, the increasing public health of the users and the adaptability of the lake to a changing climate are the main benefits. It is hard to quantify these benefits as they are composed of many different parameters and are often more under the radar.
The main beneficiaries of the project are the users/visitors and the owner of the building and area. The main direct outcome of the project for its visitors is the expanded sanitary facilities. They are larger and cleaner which leads to a better enjoyment of the lake. An indirect benefit for the visitors is increased mental and physical health due to a closer proximity to nature and more physical movement. The owner of the building and general lake area is the Flemish Agency for Nature & Forests (ANB). For ANB, the increasing public health of the users and the adaptability of the lake to a changing climate are the main benefits. It is hard to quantify these benefits as they are composed of many different parameters and are often more under the radar.
How Citizens benefit
Before the project, the limited capacity of the building was quickly becoming apparent. It was especially clear that the toilet and shower facilities were far too small to accommodate the growing number of visitors. It was mainly during the summer months from May to September that this limited capacity was clear. A maximum of 3000 daily visitors was reached before Rotselaar decided to do something about it.
The main way citizens have had an impact on the project is as users of the infrastructure. The users could only indirectly give feedback by expressing their complaints to the life guards whose input was asked at an early point during the process. ‘fijn atelier’, the architectural firm that was the project manager, gathered input from many sources and after a process spread over a year came to a suitable design that was carried by many different parties involved in the project.
The main way citizens have had an impact on the project is as users of the infrastructure. The users could only indirectly give feedback by expressing their complaints to the life guards whose input was asked at an early point during the process. ‘fijn atelier’, the architectural firm that was the project manager, gathered input from many sources and after a process spread over a year came to a suitable design that was carried by many different parties involved in the project.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Innovative character
The Pavilion is innovative in several different ways. There are certain technical aspects that make this an innovative project like the heat pump, renovation approach, and flood readiness. Heat pumps are an up and coming technology that are being used in more and more buildings to sustainably heat and cool it without relying on fossil fuels. The reuse of large parts of the old building in its renovation is a innovative aspect of the project. Many older buildings are simply demolished to make space for a more modern building. The most sustainable buildings reduce their material footprint by reducing their need for new construction materials such as concrete and wood. The flood readiness of the Pavilion and its environment is another innovative characteristic of the project. The current raised floor level has been calculated to be safe in our changing climate until 2050. 600m² of stones were also removed to allow water to infiltrate into the ground naturally. This is becoming more and more consistently applied throughout Flanders, but is certainly not the norm yet.
While these are significant technical innovations, the main innovation of the Pavilion is its impact on the people’s experience of nature. Its simplicity and humble design do not detract from the beautiful natural surroundings. People can experience nature to their fullest potential without being distracted by the building. The buildings of the future should be more incorporated into their surroundings and allow that to speak for it instead of trying to catch the eye. This is especially true for buildings in non-urban environments. A more nature-based design should become the norm. The Pavilion is beautiful because of its surroundings and tries to strive for this norm.
While these are significant technical innovations, the main innovation of the Pavilion is its impact on the people’s experience of nature. Its simplicity and humble design do not detract from the beautiful natural surroundings. People can experience nature to their fullest potential without being distracted by the building. The buildings of the future should be more incorporated into their surroundings and allow that to speak for it instead of trying to catch the eye. This is especially true for buildings in non-urban environments. A more nature-based design should become the norm. The Pavilion is beautiful because of its surroundings and tries to strive for this norm.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
The stakeholder groups from the last question can be recycled here. It is their disciplines and knowledge fields that were present in the project. Representatives of Rotselaar and fijn atelier were included in almost every meeting, while other organisations were involved on a more ad hoc basis. The municipal staff brought a wealth of expertise to the table, going from spatial planning and sport to environment and heritage. Fijn atelier brought an equally impressive array of fields to the table, going from architecture and interior design to communication and project management. The interaction between these two parties was the backbone of the project and went very well. The building was built within the expected timeframe and all major parties could weigh in on the final design and implementation.
The other parties were all involved on an ad hoc basis to solve specific problems or give specific input. Four Flemish governmental agencies were contacted to give input on the impact of the project on its natural environment, its accessibility for physically disabled people, and its fire safety protocols. Especially the advice of the Flemish Environmental Agency was useful for raising the minimal floor level to prevent future flooding due to climate change. Two partners were hired to research technical aspects of the project like the heat pump and waste water management. A construction contractor was hired to implement the project and actually build the building. Life guards represent the end users of the building and come in direct contact with them. While not directly involved in the design of the building, they added valuable insights to the project and ensured that the final building addressed the shortcomings of the old Pavilion. All these different parties contributed to the project by adding knowledge of their specific field to the project. Without them the Pavilion would not have been built.
The other parties were all involved on an ad hoc basis to solve specific problems or give specific input. Four Flemish governmental agencies were contacted to give input on the impact of the project on its natural environment, its accessibility for physically disabled people, and its fire safety protocols. Especially the advice of the Flemish Environmental Agency was useful for raising the minimal floor level to prevent future flooding due to climate change. Two partners were hired to research technical aspects of the project like the heat pump and waste water management. A construction contractor was hired to implement the project and actually build the building. Life guards represent the end users of the building and come in direct contact with them. While not directly involved in the design of the building, they added valuable insights to the project and ensured that the final building addressed the shortcomings of the old Pavilion. All these different parties contributed to the project by adding knowledge of their specific field to the project. Without them the Pavilion would not have been built.
Methodology used
This project spanned more than two years from start to finish. It started in March 2021 with an iterative design process between Rotselaar and fijn atelier. Any technical problems that arose were dealt with by garnering expert advice. Over the course of several iterations, a design was slowly decided on. This iterative process took about a year, but led to the quick ratification of the design by local government officials. Fijn atelier was adamant that enough time was spent on this iterative design process to ensure everyone was on the same page and avoid any unforeseen problems later in the process. The next step was to obtain a permit and then the official search for a contractor could start. Three months later, after tendering and getting selected they could get started. Before the actual construction work could start, preparatory work had to be carried out to remove the parts of the building that would not be needed and retain the ones that would be reused. After a month of preparatory work, the contractor could get started on the actual building of the new Pavilion. With weekly meetings to discuss any problems and find solutions, the construction process was tightly managed. This took 8 months and by May 2023 the new Pavilion was ready. In June 2023, it officially opened to the public during a festive event hosting important local representatives and organized by Rotselaar.
How stakeholders are engaged
The process to build the new Pavilion was an inclusive team effort. ‘fijn atelier’ was responsible for the building design and managed the entire process working together with several groups of stakeholders. A first group was the regional governmental agencies for Nature & Forests, Environment, and Accessibility. They mainly gave input about the impact of the project on the surrounding natural environment and on the accessibility of the area for people with a physical disability. A second group that they worked with was supralocal organisations on subjects such as the fire prevention. They received extensive feedback on their design and tips on how to improve its fire safety. The third group of stakeholders was the different local departments of the municipality Rotselaar for sports, environment, spatial planning, and heritage. Each department gave feedback on the initial tender of ‘fijn atelier’ and their two competitors which led to their eventual selection as project managers. Afterwards, most contact with the municipality happened via the municipal building coordinator. This initial feedback was useful for the municipality to select the optimal partner for the job. The fourth group that ‘fijn atelier’ collaborated with was the technical contractors. They could give specialized technical insights in a range of topics such as heat pumps and waste water. The final group of stakeholders was the users, represented by the life guards. As mentioned earlier, their feedback was invaluable to uncover shortcomings of the old building.
Global challenges
Many of the challenges have already been shortly touched upon. The main global challenge that this project addresses is the dropping levels of public well-being. Many people live in cities or urbanized environments and often lack natural places of sufficient quality. It has been proven that proximity to nature increases people’s well-being and makes them happier. In Rotselaar, the lake’s environment with its green forests and blue water addresses this global challenge of public well-being by providing access to nature and by stimulating people to move by swimming, surfing, or playing in the water. Another major global benefit of the project is carbon emission reduction. Carbon emissions were slashed during this project by working with reused concrete and wood, installing heat pumps, reusing water, reducing energy demand through insulation, etc. The lower use of fossil fuels for heating and electricity through the entire lifetime of the building will have a lower impact of global climate change. Climate adaptation is a third challenge. It is unavoidable that the climate will change, so it is vital that communities are prepared for the myriad of changes coming their way. This building project contributes to climate adaptation by removing parts of the built environment to allow water the opportunity to infiltrate naturally, giving people a place to cool off during heat waves and the increasingly warm summer months, and by preparing the building to resist floods of increasing intensity and frequency. The final global challenge addressed by the project is the growing lack of social interaction. People are increasingly lonely and isolated. The Pavilion gives people a place and a reason to meet up in a beautiful environment. This increases social inclusion, expands cultural and social events, and generally boosts community activity.
Learning transferred to other parties
An important and transferable driver of the success of the Pavilion was the iterative and complete management approach. It is best to take your time in the beginning of a renovation project rather than move fast in the beginning and get bogged down by technical and social issues at a later point. Involving many stakeholders and experts from different fields is vital. A project that is born by many different stakeholders has a far higher chance of actually being implemented. This is relevant for building projects, but is transferable to almost any sector trying to change something. To get anything done, it is important to have support from a wide base of motivated people and organisations. Another transferable quality is the sustainability of the project. The reuse of building elements does not occur enough yet and this should be a renovation approach that becomes mainstream. It may make projects more complex, but it will prevent many tons of CO2 emissions from entering our atmosphere causing the climate to break down even faster. The heat pump and insulation reduce energy use and also prevent carbon emissions. A final desirable and transferable quality of the Pavilion is its harmony with nature. The building blends into the background and brings nature to the forefront of people’s experience. This should become a norm for all buildings. Buildings that are designed to work with nature instead of against it would lead to more beautiful and green cities and villages, healthier people, and more attention for nature in general.
Keywords
Nature
Water
Enjoyment
Humble
Unobtrusive
