Ocean Spa, Napier

31 Dec

This community facility, located on the Marine Parade foreshore, replaces the post-war outdoor pools that had fallen into disrepair.

Ocean Spa Napier, completed in January 2003, was designed in conjunction with aquatic engineering specialists LHT Design. Conceived as an aquatic experience unique in New Zealand, the complex provides a mix of aquatic, leisure and fitness facilities, and includes a variety of heated pools to suit a number of activities and age groups, and three separate buildings with varying functions.

Location
Napier

Date Completed
2003

Client
Hawkes Bay Regional Council

Team
John Sofo, Matt Every

Photography
ASC Architects

The two-level main building provides indoor streets crossing at reception, allowing good surveillance of entrances from Marine Parade, the adjacent conference centre, and the existing beach car park. Ground-floor facilities include a gymnasium, consultancy rooms, staff facilities, three private spas, sauna and steam rooms, change and reception spaces.

The upper level, containing a large mezzanine to the gymnasium, with magnificent sea views also connects to a large terrace overlooking the outdoor pools. The second and third buildings (a self-contained cafe and the pool plant building) are located on the parade frontage. Running between these buildings is a partially glazed windbreak, which allows sea views through the site from the historic Swann Memorial and forms part of the secure perimeter.