Civil Engineering March 2021 | Vol 29 No 2

Civil Engineering March 2021 25 The architectural design maximised the existing swimming pool site to encompass a 2 750 m 2 covered, yet naturally ventilated aquatic centre that includes two large new pools and a learn- to-swim facility. Within the covered area, a new double storey adjoining structure houses the changing rooms, upper viewing platform and plant rooms, while keeping and upgrading the original 1920s northern entrance to the pool area and stand – a structure with significant heritage value to the school. A focal point of the development is the intricate feature roof with clear spans over the pools and an intriguing, stepped apex creating an unusual form and space. PROJECT INCEPTION The existing swimming and waterpolo facility at KES comprised two pools – a large 25 × 25 × 2 m deep pool and a small learn- to-swim pool. These pools and the paved eastern section of the facility were additions and upgrades done in the mid-1990s, while the far older entrance and stand to the north, seating to the west, and changing block to the south, were constructed in 1927 as the original swimming bath. Other than general aging of the surrounding structures, the learners were missing out on many hours of training and galas due to lightening over the course of a typical Highveld summer season. In addition, the large pool was too short and slightly too shallow for first class junior waterpolo. Thanks to an exceptional donation from an alumnus of the school, the pool facility could be fully upgraded to enable top level competition and training over an extended period, under cover. KES invited selected architects to provide a design solution in early 2018 and Shed Architecture + Design was selected. The remaining core professional team – comprising WCSE as the struc- tural and civil engineers and Jan Pienaar & Associates as the quan- tity surveyors – was appointed to take the winning architectural concept through a preliminary design stage to confirm budget costs. DESIGN DEVELOPMENT The design called for new swimming pools, and pool specialist Water Dimension International (WDI) was subsequently ap- pointed. Following a lengthily consultation with the school, the following new pools were confirmed: KES Aquatic Centre – a structural engineering feat The King Edward VII School (KES) Aquatic Centre, located in Houghton Johannesburg, comprises the redevelopment of the previous uncovered aging school swimming pool into a world class aquatic centre to be used for swimming and waterpolo by both the junior and high schools. Kevin Webber Pr Eng, CEng (MIEI) Owner WCSE kevin.webber@wcse.co.za Completed arena (courtesy of WCSE)