Local London architecture practice Studio Dera has successfully converted a disused swimming pool at Waltham Forest College into "The Pool," a multifunctional, light-filled teaching space that addresses the institution's growing educational needs. The innovative retrofit project transforms what was once an underutilized aquatic facility into a flexible learning environment that serves both academic instruction and extracurricular activities.
The conversion became necessary as the college's swimming pool was rarely used while the student population continued to expand rapidly, creating a pressing need for additional educational space. Studio Dera approached the challenge by reimagining the existing structure rather than demolishing it, preserving the pool's distinctive architectural characteristics while completely transforming its function.
"With The Pool, we wanted our design and build to retain the existing volume and footprint of the original swimming pool while also transforming the space into a multifunctional teaching center," explained Max Dewdney, co-founder of Studio Dera. "The geometry and rhythm of the original pool shaped the new layout, with the exposed ceiling structure reflecting the original design."
The 994-square-meter open-plan space is strategically organized across multiple levels, taking full advantage of the pool's natural depth variations. Plywood benches are thoughtfully distributed across the tiered levels throughout the space, providing informal seating options for students and faculty. The design creates distinct zones for different educational activities while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to various teaching methods and group sizes.
In the former deep end of the swimming pool, Studio Dera installed an elevated stage designed to accommodate lectures, performances, and assemblies. The architects cleverly utilized the existing depth by tucking an IT room beneath the stage, which is enclosed by sliding wooden doors that maintain the space's clean aesthetic while providing necessary technical infrastructure.
Around the perimeter of the former pool area, the design team installed fixed desks framed by slatted timber paneling, specifically designed for individual study sessions and small group collaborative work. The existing windows along the east and west sides of the room were significantly enlarged to maximize natural light penetration, with integrated seating built into the window bays to create comfortable study nooks.
The material selection process was guided by principles of sustainability, durability, and environmental responsibility. According to Studio Dera, the choices focused on durability, circularity, and low embodied carbon impact. The pared-back, natural material palette consists primarily of FSC-certified birch plywood, recycled acoustic panels, and low-VOC finishes, with various plants strategically placed throughout the space to enhance air quality and create a more welcoming atmosphere.
To accommodate the space's diverse uses, an acoustic curtain system was installed to facilitate flexible teaching and study configurations, enabling different spatial arrangements depending on the specific educational needs at any given time. "By utilizing warm timber, soft acoustic finishes and planting, we created a calm environment that supports focus and wellbeing," Dewdney noted.
The retrofit project included significant improvements to the building's thermal performance and energy efficiency. Triple-glazed windows were installed alongside comprehensive new insulation to both internal and external walls, plus insulated pipework throughout the facility. Additional energy optimization measures include the installation of air source heat pumps, mixed-mode ventilation systems, and LED lighting throughout the converted space.
From the project's earliest stages, Studio Dera actively collaborated with students and staff from Waltham Forest College, conducting workshops focused on spatial strategies, technical requirements, and user priorities. This collaborative approach ensured that the final design would meet the actual needs of those who would be using the space daily. Following the completion of the retrofit project, the studio has continued to make adjustments and refinements to the design based on ongoing user feedback and real-world usage patterns.
The Pool project represents part of a broader trend in adaptive reuse architecture, particularly in educational settings where institutions are finding creative ways to repurpose existing structures. Other recent London educational building projects have included innovative approaches such as a woodland learning center constructed from a repurposed shipping container and military parachute, as well as a distinctive gridded concrete university building designed for the London College of Fashion.
The successful transformation demonstrates how thoughtful architectural intervention can breathe new life into underutilized spaces while maintaining the character and structural integrity of the original building. The project serves as a model for other educational institutions facing similar challenges of expanding enrollment and limited space, showing that creative adaptive reuse can provide effective solutions that are both environmentally responsible and educationally beneficial.
