WORLD NEWS
At Fuorisalone in Milan, architect Michele Perlini exhibited his My Secret design, a wellness module in the form of an architectural element devoted to calm and contemplation. A tribute to the Japanese culture of wellbeing, My Secret created an impression through its simple architecture. Enclosed by sliding shoji walls and a large, panoramic glass facade, which draws the eye to a more intimate interior. The inside follows a typically oriental layout and employs surfaces in natural materials, soothing diffused lighting and pared-back decorative elements, for a pure and uncontaminated effect, with visual voids designed to encourage contemplation and spiritual elevation. The module is spread over three functional sections: a sleeping area, dominated by a large futon, a Finnish sauna, and a sensorial shower area with chromotherapy. This last area features Lapitec sintered stone, a next-generation
Made in Italy material, covered by 25 patents and created from a mixture of 100% natural minerals, compacted without the addition of glues or resins. Available in large, full-body slabs, for architecture and interiors, it offers ultra-resistant characteristics – even in wet or particularly humid environments – thanks to its completely nonporous surface. The My Secret project proposes a new way of thinking about wellbeing, through a module with the potential to be placed anywhere – including a field, a meadow, a forest, or floating on water as here – and something that is also customisable. However, above all, it creates a meeting point between technological innovation and humanity’s primordial need to return to nature, silence and tranquility.
First Of Its Kind Pop-up Swimming Pool Arrives In Republic Of Ireland Fingal has become the inaugural host for Ireland’s first ever popup swimming pool, with the Swim Ireland initiative set to bring swimming to communities right across the country. In partnership with Fingal County Council and Sport Ireland, Swim Ireland wanted to improve the opportunity and experience for all level of swimmers to access somewhere local, so found an innovative solution by bringing the first of its kind pop-up pool to communities. Every 12-weeks the pool will move to new locations on its journey around Ireland, with an ambitious target of providing 750 swimming experiences a week. Holding 45,000 litres of water, the 12m by 3.4m structure will remain in the small coastal town of Donabate until midJuly before setting off to its next destination. The pool itself is sheltered from the elements in a hard sided marquee, and there is a ramp and a hoist meaning the pool can cater for all types of swimmers. It makes it the ideal place to learn to swim, hone skills or just remember how great it feels to block out the world and dip your head in the water. Launching the pool in Donabate, Minister for Sport Jack Chambers said: “This is about bringing a pool into the heart of a community and integrating it with our education system. We boast some 6,000km of coastline in Ireland, so it’s important we deliver water safety lessons to as many people as possible – this new and innovative pilot will help us achieve that, along with encouraging active participation for all groups in the community.”
Image ©INPHO/Bryan Keane
My Secret – A Floating Spa Module Devoted To Calm
Lapitec S.p.a. +39 042 370 3811 www.lapitec.com
Pentair Earns 2022 ENERGY STAR® Partner Of The Year – Sustained Excellence Award Pentair is proud to announce it received the 2022 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Energy. Pentair was the first pool equipment manufacturer to have an ENERGY STAR certified pool pump and has been recognised as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year since 2013. “Pentair is built on delivering smart, sustainable, energy- and resourceefficient products and solutions,” said De’Mon Wiggins, Group President, Pentair Pool. “We are proud of our continued collaboration with the EPA and honoured to be recognised as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year once again. Our efforts, paired with ENERGY STAR’s
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goals and leadership, are changing the pool industry.” In addition to its ENERGY STARrated pool pumps, Pentair offers smart, sustainable solutions to help pool owners conserve energy and make thoughtful environmental choices. Through pool solutions like automated controls, heaters and lighting products, Pentair strives to design products that facilitate
environmental sustainability. Each year, the ENERGY STAR programme honours a group of businesses and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through superior energy achievements. Winners are selected from a network of thousands of ENERGY STAR partners and lead their industries in the production, sale, and adoption of energy-efficient products, homes, buildings, services, and strategies. These efforts are essential to fighting the climate crisis and protecting public health. Pentair +1 763 545 1730 www.pentair.com
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk 10/06/2022 11:13