Interview with Santiago González García, architect of NAOS 04 architects, S.L.P.

In general the way of new trends in architecture of swimming pools is based on sustainability issues. The high cost of maintenance of swimming pools make to find systems in which energy efficiency is maximized in order to minimize the environmental impact and costs. This approach takes into account passive measures that affect directly to architectural design (insulation, orientations, solar protections) and active measures (alternative energy, energy use).

Research and development will focus on ecoedificios, on the basis of the various green stamps that currently exist for the evaluation of buildings (energy certification, LEED, BREEAM). In that regard these certifications affect the building since the beginning of the architectural design throughout the construction process through the management system of the building. Within this philosophy and referred to the world of the pool there is e.g. the criterion that water out of the building cleaner which enters, which will lead to the maximum utilization of the grey water and cleansing, and possibly to the replacement of systems of chlorination by other technologies environmentally cleaner.

Materials manufacturers have a process-oriented materials are 100% recyclable technologically or well compostable, i.e., that the material itself again to be used as a source of other materials. According to this philosophy, which has its base in the 'cradle to cradle' (from the cradle to cradle), they are standardizing their new materials manufacturers of ceramic, glass, woodwork, etc. Disappear materials as PVC which are impossible to recycle to be replaced by other types of plastics, and in that line opens a new world of research.

Probably in less than 5 years there will be legislation to regulate the impact of a building on the environment to be positive, instead of the criterion of minimizing the negative impact, that is with the current legislation is drafted.

Culture and sport in Spain, although it is a very good level, is still in process of development, so obviously it still is a good market for the future. We just have to see countries that are ahead of us in this sector such as Germany, to appreciate the way that we still have to go.

In any case it now begins to exist, in addition to the market of new sports facilities, the renovation and replacement of existing ones who have completed their life cycle and need further action to put into use again them.

In the past 15 years has been a growing market although it has been stopped in last two years by the crisis.

We must take into account that the sport from the social and political point of view is not a basic factor in the preparation of public budgets, as priorities are health care or education, which is why budgets towards sports facilities are very reduced.

The crisis also affects the construction of sports facilities of private initiative, because it is much harder finding Bank financing that poye investments.

Yes, I'm a regular at the pool hall visitor. The approach is very good as professionals in the sector you can see and compare the latest developments and the evolution of companies involved in the world of water. Although in later editions the crisis has made to reduce the number of participating companies, I hope that swimming pool show dates back the flight that the Spanish market needs an event of this type to maintain its competitiveness.