Sussex Pool House
Described by the Commission for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) as a valuable contribution to the renewal of architecture within the countryside, this indoor swimming pool and spa within the grounds of a Grade II* listed rectory brought bold, contemporary design sensitively into a historic, rural setting.
Erected on the site of an earlier glasshouse, this modern pavilion is glazed on two sides to allow clear views across the property's paddocks. A sliding glass screen and a floor flush with the ample wooden deck let indoor blur with outdoor.
A curved aluminium roof floats over the pool on slender pilotis and gently arching glulam beams, its barrel form offering a feeling of height inside while reducing the apparent height of the building from the outside.
Inside, the pool and a dividing wall are lined with Kirkstone slate. A steam room and changing areas are housed in sweet chestnut timber, and there's a bar for mixing a poolside cocktail.