swimming center valverde

Located in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, this 7-hectare site along the Reno River, known as Valverde, featured a 1970s building that had suffered from years of inconsistent renovations. In April 2023, a challenge was set to redesign a new multifunctional center for the swimming and recreational complex to be ready for the summer season. Despite the tight timeline the goal was clear: to have the revamped complex fully operational in less then three months.
Key design interventions were implemented promptly, with a focusing on speed and efficiency to deliver the work by the estimated timeline. The plan prioritized modernizing the swimming pool area and adjacent changing rooms while introducing new sports facilities on the northeastern edge, including a basketball court with modular plastic tiles and a beach volleyball area, surrounded by the park's lush greenery.

The existing changing rooms were transformed into an open-plan space with rotating cabins and two symmetrical washrooms. From this hub, visitors access the renewed outdoor summer area featuring two pools. To enhance usability and accessibility, the main pool’s floor was raised, and both pools were resurfaced. A wooden deck was added at the pool’s edge, serving as a functional platform for summer courses and activities.

The design also redefined the surrounding outdoor paths, improving their layout, materials, and adding artificial lighting. The pool boundaries were expanded and softened with green hedges, creating a more cohesive and inviting environment.

Despite the limited timeframe, the project was completed on schedule, restoring vitality to the complex and meeting the summer deadline. This rapid transformation is part of a wider redevelopment strategy set to unfold over the coming years, ultimately aiming to deliver a fully modernized spare time destination encompassing recreation, sports, relaxation, and camping facilities. ▼read more