Natural Pools

Catching up on a lot of unread blogposts, I came across a couple on Studio G about natural swimming pools and Gerard Gay's luxury pools.

Natural swimming pools are incredibly beautiful and have a charm that traditional pools lack. In my mind however, they were necessarily relatively small affairs, for private use.

::Photos via Studio G

When looking at the designs of Gerard Gay and particularly the pool with the mountainous backdrop above, I wondered if they necessarily have to be small and private; could large public swimming pools not also be "natural swimming pools"?

:: Photo via Gerard Gay

A noticeable thing about the public beach in the Southbank Parklands here in Brisbane is the chemical smell of the water. I have often wondered about this when watching many of the birds drink from the pool. Could such pools, as the one at the Cairns esplanade be designed as a "natural pools"?

Brisbane South Bank Parklands
:: Photo via Foundation expo 88

Cairns Esplanade
:: Photo via Goway

A large public place would no doubt benefit from a chemical free and sustainable natural swimming pool if technically feasible.