Swimming pools are among the most demanding environments for acoustic design. Hard, reflective surfaces, continuous water movement, and high user activity create significant reverberation and noise buildup.
At the Charlieu-Belmont Aquatic Center, the large volumes and glazed façades intensified these issues, impacting both user comfort and safety, especially during swimming classes and recreational hours.
Ensuring clarity of instructions, reducing echo fatigue, and meeting acoustic regulations for public sports buildings were key to the success of this community project.
We carried out a complete acoustic study during the design phase, analysing the reverberation profile of the pool hall and changing areas, and identifying key zones requiring treatment.
Our team recommended high-humidity resistant absorbent finishes, including ceiling baffles and wall panels specifically engineered for aquatic environments. We coordinated closely with the architects and contractors to integrate these solutions without compromising thermal or ventilation performance.
All materials were selected for their durability, efficacy, and compliance with sports facility standards.
The interventions led to a significant reduction in reverberation time, enhancing both speech intelligibility and overall comfort in the pool hall. Instructors and lifeguards now communicate clearly, and the user experience is calmer and less stressful, especially for children and seniors.
Our acoustic design for aquatic centers helped transform the Charlieu-Belmont Aquatic Center into a safe, inclusive, and acoustically welcoming venue for the entire community.
