THE CHALLENGE:

Developers of Batumi Plaza, located in the Republic of Georgia, were looking to add a showpiece swimming facility on the roof of their massive six-storey luxury facility. Complete with a high-end shopping mall, a multiplex cinema, restaurants, offices, conference facilities, and a 53-room, 5-star hotel, the rooftop pool of Batumi Plaza needed a retractable roof component that would offer swimmers sunlight, fresh air on nice days, but have the ability to close on colder, rainy days to protect swimmers from the elements.

THE SOLUTION:

OpenAire’s team of design experts, engineers and project managers worked directly with developers of Batumi Plaza to ensure visions were realized, and quality and satisfaction exceed their expectations. With years of international expertise, OpenAire is capable of building custom structures in a variety of climates, and to many international building codes and had no problem designing the retractable roof for Batumi Plaza’s rooftop pool.

The new ‘skypool’ on the roof of Batumi Plaza features a retractable enclosure that opens up 45% and measures 117’ (34m) x 199’ (60.5m), and is 26’ (8m) tall at its highest point. It features glazed gable ends, one with operable folding doors, and bi-parting roof panels that open in good weather to let in sunshine and fresh air, and close on cold or rainy days to provide natural light in a protected environment.

OpenAire’s retractable roof has a number of benefits, all of which offer energy and dollar savings in comparison with traditionally built enclosures. Their maintenance-free, thermally broken aluminum framing system withstands moist, chemical aquatic atmospheres and never needs to be repainted. The roof and insulated glass sides allow plenty of light to flood in, resulting in additional savings on lighting costs. Batumi Plaza will now draw more users, patrons and tenants to the building by offering all-season enjoyment and thereby maximizing usage and revenues as well.