Set between two plateaus, this Alpine aquatic centre by German firm Auer Weber features wide crescent-shaped windows overlooking the piste of popular ski resort Courchevel (+ slideshow).
Auer Weber has anchored Aquamotion Courchevel to a plateau between Courchevel 1650 and Courchevel 1850 in France, facing a valley on one side and an Alpine forest on the other.
The roof angles up from the ground to help the building "mesh into one" with its mountainous setting. Snow covers the roof in winter, while in the summer is is green to help it to blend with the Alps' lush vegetation.
"From the beginning, the architectural choices were focused on perfecting the integration into the surroundings," said the design team.
"The elevation of the roof allows the building to open up and communicate with the environment, while flooding the halls with natural light with its glazed facades," they added. "The building becomes a sculpture of spaces and light."
A large notch cut into the edge of the roof signals the glazed entrance, while smaller domed windows project out of the roof to give bathers mountain views.
Inside, leisure and relaxation facilities are separated over two floors.
The centre has a range of interior and exterior pools including a 100-metre-long looping water slide, a jumping basin and a brightly coloured children's padding pool directly connected by a staircase to the wellbeing and relaxation area.
Relaxation facilities include a dark and cavernous salt pool, a massage centre, saunas and Turkish baths.
The centre also includes a snack bar, while the upper floor contains a 300-capacity restaurant with views of the mountains to the north.
An underground passageway connects the aquatic centre with a car park.
Photography is by Aldo Amoretti.
Project credits:
Architects: Auer Weber
Project partner: Moritz Auer
Project associate: Stefan Niese
Project manager: Eric Frisch
Deputy project manager: Till Kamp
Team: Marius Drahtler, Tina Kierzek, Anne Krins, Yvonne Mesche- deru, Michael Schnaubelt, Bertram Wruck, Julian Stein
Client: Ville de Saint-Bon-Courchevel
Associate architect: Studio.Arch
Landscape architect: Axe Saône
Structural concrete engineering: Tractebel Engineering
Structural steel engineering: B+G Ingénierie HVAC
Swimming pools: Brière Réseaux
Energy concept: Inddigo
Construction management: Arpège Ingénierie
Cost calculation: Vanguard
Acoustical consultant: Acson
Guidance system: Les murs ont des plumes Architectes
Lighting: Bamberger
