Architectural Excellence: Four WAF Finalists Featuring Myrtha Pools Innovations

The 16th World Architecture Festival (WAF) delivers a grand opportunity to recognize high achievement in architecture. It’s a unique event designed to celebrate, reward, and share architectural expertise and knowledge. In this context of excellence and collaboration, Myrtha Pools has been called upon no less than four times. There are four finalist projects in which the Italian company has left its mark, through the creation of high-quality pools and structures.

The first of these projects is the Water Factory in Poland. This is a thematic multifunctional complex where water plays a central and polarizing role. Designed by TKHoldings Truszczyński & Kobierzewski, the entire structure stands out as a disruptive and innovative element in every way. It’s a synergistic and harmonious work, a fusion of forms and lines that transcend aesthetics, uniting the educational aspect of water with the leisure world through numerous free-form Myrtha pools, seamlessly embedded in a playful array of spaces, shapes, and varying heights.

The second project among the WAF finalists is the Parramatta Aquatic Center (PAC) in Australia. This complex project required collaboration between several architectural firms: McGregor Coxall Landscape Architects, Andrew Burges Architects, and Grimshaw, under the supervision of the Parramatta City Council. Located within Parramatta Park – a UNESCO heritage site – Myrtha created five pools for this aquatic complex, helping to establish a functional and flexible venue in an exceptional setting. The result is a multifunctional community center with low environmental impact, perfectly integrated into its surrounding landscape, creating a striking contrast between architecture and nature.

The third finalist project featuring Myrtha Pools’ signature is the Češča Vas Pool Complex in Slovenia. The product of work by ENOTA Architects, the center is located in an area dominated by an existing velodrome. To minimize impact while maintaining the spatial balance of the area, the aquatic complex was developed by leveraging the topographical properties of the sloping terrain. This way, the structure blends with its surroundings without becoming a new dominant element, thanks also to an elegant roof that hovers over the landscape. Myrtha Pools, with its modular technology, can adapt to a multitude of different needs and scenarios. Given this flexibility, the Italian company was chosen to create the two pools within the center: one for competition, and one for teaching. The Češča Vas Pool Complex, beyond representing an architectural work of great interest, serves as a benchmark for the growth of swimming in an area lacking such facilities.

The last of the four finalist projects that boast a collaboration with Myrtha Pools is the Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa in New Zealand, a visionary project that combines the incredible natural and cultural beauty of the country with the revolutionary power of Myrtha’s wellness products. Myrtha pools and cabins were also chosen for their ability to withstand earthquakes, a crucial feature for a highly seismic region like New Zealand.

Situated in a landscape and culturally significant area along the shores of Lake Rotorua, the architecture of the complex reflects and refers to the traditions of the local population, acting as a bridge between the cultural richness of the past and the future socio-economic development of the area and community. The final result is a blend of tradition and innovation, aimed at giving new life to an ancient culture deeply rooted in the social fabric.