Ōtaki Pool

Ōtaki Pool is located in the heart of Haruatai Park. As well as being home to the Ōtaki Pool, Haruatai Park includes a playground, sports fields, fitness circuit, basketball & tennis courts, a Montessori Preschool, the Morris Enthusiasts Car Club and the Ōtaki Scouts Hall.

Kāpiti Coast District Council are repeat clients and engaged Architecture HDT to carry out significant upgrade works to the existing pool building. The roofing and cladding materials had rusted from the inside-out due to the harsh internal pool environment and needed to be replaced. Architecture HDT worked closely with KCDC and key stakeholders to refine the brief and transform the facility into a destination for the local community and the wider Kāpiti region.

The result is a sleek, modern upgrade of a valuable community asset. The existing steel structure was strengthened and refurbished with some additional structure added to create the dynamic sloped walls and roof. Insulated roof and walls panels, acoustic ceiling baffles, double glazed windows and improved heating and ventilation system have significantly transformed the internal pool environment. Large sliding doors open out onto a new community splashpad and picnic area, perfect for enjoying those sunny days in a relaxed, secure, family-friendly environment.

Architecture HDT and Kāpiti Coast District Council made a conscious decision to retain as much of the existing building structure as possible and refurbish, making the most of this community resource.

Although the roofing and cladding needed to be replaced, the majority of the pool building was suitable for reuse. Demolition was selective rather than wholesale.

Overall this transformation has breathed new life into the existing building, the refresh is a significant improvement with the familiar parts of the original still evident but under a new guise.