The facility is a groundbreaking seasonal and fully demountable structure designed to accommodate 300 people simultaneously. The comprehensive site includes a 950-square-meter swimming area stretching 60 meters in length, a 415-square-meter floating platform, and 480 square meters of land-based facilities. The entire installation was constructed on the footprint of a former parking lot, carefully designed to avoid disturbing neighboring residential barges with which it shares water infrastructure.
The project's primary challenge was encouraging the public to take what architects describe as "a gesture that is as simple as it is intimidating: to dive into the Seine." To achieve this goal, Mater Studio developed a three-pronged approach targeting the site design, physical comfort, and public imagination.
The architectural design draws inspiration from Paris's cultural heritage, particularly the Art Deco forms and patterns of the 1920s when the city's first public swimming pools were celebrated architectural achievements. The distinctive yellow handrails and metalwork reflect the era when yellow and blue were considered the colors of leisure, holidays, and summer activities. Despite its location at the foot of the Eiffel Tower on the edge of a UNESCO World Heritage site, the bathing area remains discreetly nestled beneath plane and lime trees, never competing with the nearby Beaugrenelle towers.
The facility's projection into the Seine creates a unique perspective from the river, establishing what designers call "a respectful dialogue between architecture and the larger landscape." This thoughtful integration convinced the City of Paris to grant unprecedented formal and chromatic freedom, far exceeding the original project brief's scope.
Physical comfort features were integrated from the project's inception to reassure swimmers. These include a gentle, progressive entry into the water, designated areas for partial immersion, a dedicated shallow pool for children, and semi-transparent canopies providing sun protection. At the swimming route's conclusion, open-air showers extend the refreshing experience. The centerpiece floating island serves as both a destination and motivation for swimmers, with the simple concept of "dive in, swim across, reach the island" proving instinctively magnetic despite the technical and regulatory challenges its construction presented.
The engineering solution addresses the Seine's constantly shifting water levels through advanced technical expertise. The site is completely mobile and designed for continuous adaptation. The floating platform slides along vertical rails anchored to the quay using concealed concrete blocks, while two 25-meter pivoting walkways maintain the gentlest possible slope to ensure universal accessibility.
Stability studies enabled designers to create a buoyancy system capable of supporting 300 people simultaneously without risk of deformation. Both land and water components can be completely dismantled within 48 hours in case of flash flooding. During normal operations, every component is numbered and positioned with precision, functioning like a giant construction set that allows annual disassembly and reassembly.
The project reflects minimal environmental impact through the use of repurposed shipping containers that have already traveled the world multiple times and robinia wood, the only European hardwood naturally resistant to moisture without chemical treatment. The most remarkable aspect of this technically complex project, delivered at exceptional speed, is its appearance of effortless simplicity.
Led by Léa Matray and Charles Freudiger, the Mater Studio design team collaborated with Yacht Design Collective for engineering and consulting services. Photography of the completed facility was captured by Joséphine Brueder, documenting this historic return of public swimming to the Seine River after more than a century.
