February - Musée La Piscine de Roubaix à Roubaix, France
From Municipal Pool to Museum of Art and Industry
Built by the architect Alber Baert, between 1927 and 1932, the swimming pool was built following the structure of an abbey (4 wings around an interior garden, like a cloister). Very modern for its time, the interior boasts a decidedly Art Deco aesthetic. In 1985, after 50 years of use, the fragile structure of the dome roof was a threatening safety hazard and forced the pool to close, much to the dismay of its users. 16 years later, a fully restored La Piscine reopened its doors, but this time, as a museum.
Built by the architect Alber Baert, between 1927 and 1932, the swimming pool was built following the structure of an abbey (4 wings around an interior garden, like a cloister). Very modern for its time, the interior boasts a decidedly Art Deco aesthetic. In 1985, after 50 years of use, the fragile structure of the dome roof was a threatening safety hazard and forced the pool to close, much to the dismay of its users. 16 years later, a fully restored La Piscine reopened its doors, but this time, as a museum.