Urban pool

French architect Gwendal Le Bihan imagined a bold outdoor pool in concrete and resin, installed in Nantes to foster a new way of interacting with public spaces.

Gwendal Le Bihan, Billard urbain. View of the installation in front of the Graslin Theater, Nantes, France

Between sport equipment and urban furniture, the Billard urbain designed and built by the French architect Gwendal Le Bihan is intended to introduce new interaction in public space.

One of the objectives is to introduce new practice in the public space. The presence of urban pool also gives a free ludic show. Bringing this concentration and strategic game on the streets allows democratization of a selective leisure. Urban pools are accessible for free, everyone can bring its own material or borrow it to the next shop.

Young ones as adults can play on the pool with no risk of damage thanks to the special build. This project entirely made in concrete is also the result of material research conducted by the architect. Different aggregate are used with concrete to offer the best game sensation. The slate has been poured in a tinted blue concrete mixed with a special resin. The massive design is weather resistant and also resistant to degradations.

The billiard can be used to play blackball or eight ball, but gamers are encouraged to invent their own rules: urban pool rules. The Billard urbain has been presented in Nantes – installed in front of the Graslin Theater, stairs have been used as amphitheater – and is now looking for a new placing.