Project Overview
In 2018, Natare provided a 25-meter, 5-lane zero-entry lap pool for the Pridham Hall multi-purpose facility at University of South Australia in Adelaide, South Australia.
Pridham Hall was designed to serve both university students and the local community, uniquely combining graduation spaces with a modern sports complex. The swimming pool needed to stand out, delivering both performance and a distinct “wow factor” within a dense urban, inner-city environment.
To meet these goals, Natare designed and fabricated a stainless steel pool system, manufactured at our Indianapolis facility and shipped internationally in modular sections. This approach enabled a fast installation, completed in approximately 24 days, while minimizing disruption to surrounding construction and everyday city activity.
Challenges
Limited Space & Basement-Level Installation
The pool’s location within a basement level of a city building created access limitations, which restricted a traditional concrete construction approach.
Elimination of Traditional Infrastructure
Space constraints made it difficult to accommodate conventional surge or balance tanks and extensive buried piping systems, requiring a more integrated hydraulic solution.
Natare Solutions Implemented
Modular Stainless Steel Pool System
Natare utilized their All-Welded Stainless Steel Pool System to fabricate the pool in pre-engineered modular sections, allowing for efficient international shipping, streamlined site delivery, and rapid installation within a constrained environment.
Stainless Steel PerimeterGutter System with Automatic Surge Control
To address the building’s space limitations, Natare implemented a stainless steel perimeter gutter system with integrated automatic surge control weirs.
- Eliminates the need for separate surge or balance tanks
- Removes the requirement for buried perimeter piping
- Provides efficient, continuous water level management
- Reduces maintenance and eliminates confined space concerns associated with traditional systems
Additionally, the system features a continuous perimeter recirculation design, ensuring uniform distribution of clean, treated water throughout the pool.
MicroFlo® Vacuum Sand Filtration System
The Pridham Hall pool marked the first installation of Natare’s MicroFlo® Vacuum Sand Filter in Australia.
- Removes finer particles than traditional pressure sand filters
- Improves overall water clarity and quality
- Eliminates frequent backwashing cycles found in other filtration systems
Custom PVC Pool Lining System
A reinforced PVC membrane pool lining system was selected to deliver both performance and design flexibility.
- Completely watertight system
- Reduced maintenance requirements
- Resistance to bacteria and algae growth
To enhance the visual impact, the membrane was installed in a light blue finished and customized with the University’s logo in contrasting black, creating a bold, highly visible feature within the pool.
Architectural Finishes
The pool design was completed with sleek black GPM polymer grating, complementing the facility’s modern materials and urban aesthetic.
Earned Recognition
The Pridham Hall swimming pool project was recognized for its excellence, earning Highly Commended in the 2019 Swimming Pool and Spa Association (SPASA) Awards in the Commercial Pool Category over $250,000.
