Studio Arcos B has reworked one of France’s distinctive 1970s Tournesol swimming pools, preserving Bernard Schoeller’s prefabricated domed structure as the centrepiece of a more sustainable and accessible leisure complex.
Studio Arcos B, led by Étienne Chauvelier, has renovated and extended the Aldebert Bellier Tournesol swimming pool in Taverny, France. Developed as part of the French government’s ‘1000 Piscines’ programme, the prefabricated Tournesol pools were rolled out across the country from the late 1960s and became emblematic of an era of major investment in public leisure facilities.
Rather than competing with Bernard Schoeller’s original domed structure, the new interventions have been conceived to reinforce its architectural presence. New volumes are compact and partially embedded in the ground, maintaining views towards the dome and allowing its distinctive geometry to remain the dominant element of the complex. The completed facility provides 2,433 square metres of usable space and 470 square metres of water.
Beneath the dome, the aquatic centre accommodates a large swimming pool alongside a multipurpose pool and a smaller recreational pool for children. The internal layout has been reorganised to improve circulation and accessibility, with an open reception area, rationalised changing facilities, and generous communal spaces establishing a clear sequence through the building.
Material choices reference the character of the original 1970s interior without attempting to recreate it. Small-format ceramic tiles by Casalgrande Padana are used across walls, floors and poolside areas, with a combination of muted whites, greys and darker tones accentuating the circular geometry and responding to the natural light admitted through the domed enclosure.
The renovation also significantly upgrades the building’s environmental performance. External insulation and improvements to the roof reduce heat loss, complemented by measures addressing acoustics and natural ventilation.
Outside, a solarium is set within a planted meadow, strengthening the relationship between the swimming pool and its landscape setting. The restrained approach to the extension allows the original dome to retain its distinctive silhouette, preserving the architectural identity of the Tournesol prototype while adapting it to contemporary expectations for public leisure buildings.
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