A flood of nostalgic reminiscences
The Unique Raymond-Mulinghausen Pool in Les Lilas, France
The Raymond-Mulinghausen pool, located in the heart of Les Lilas, Seine-Saint-Denis, is a remarkable example of innovative public pool architecture. Built in 1976, this pool is a historical relic of the Tournesol pool program, a movement aimed at modernizing community swimming facilities across France [1][2].
One of the standout features of the Raymond-Mulinghausen pool is its unique design, which incorporates a large, circular, retractable roof that opens like sunflower petals. This innovative architectural element allows for a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor swimming, providing a versatile and adaptable environment [1][2].
The pool's designer, Bernard Schoeller, envisioned the structure as an urchin's shell. The dome roof, made of colourful plastic tiles (yellow in this case), is pierced with portholes, giving the pool an otherworldly appearance that resembles a structure from a science fiction comic book [1][2].
This unconventional design has earned the pool various nicknames, such as flying saucer, mushroom, and igloo, due to its retro-futuristic silhouette [1]. Guided tours of the pool are led by urbanist and architect Julien Béneyt, offering visitors a chance to learn more about this architectural marvel [1].
The Raymond-Mulinghausen pool is not just a tourist attraction; it holds significant cultural and historical value. It is a symbol of French prefabrication and the vogue for plastic in the 1960s-1970s [1]. Additionally, Olympic champions Laure Manaudou and Alain Bernard learned to swim at this very pool [1].
Today, the pool remains open and continues to serve the community. Its unique design has become one of its defining features, making it a celebrated example of innovative public pool architecture in the Paris region [1][2].
References:
[1] Béneyt, Julien. "La Piscine de Raymond-Mulinghausen à Les Lilas." Archis, 2019. https://archisweb.org/en/articles/la-piscine-de-raymond-mulinghausen-a-les-lilas/
[2] "La Piscine de Raymond-Mulinghausen à Les Lilas." Patrimoine du XXe siècle, 2021. https://patrimoine-du-xxieme-siecle.fr/patrimoine/la-piscine-de-raymond-mulinghausen-a-les-lilas/
The distinctive design of the Raymond-Mulinghausen pool, a marvel of public pool architecture, not only vessels a versatile swimming environment but also echoes the '60s-'70s aesthetic of French prefabrication and plastic vogue. Such unique lifestyle attributes embedded within the home-and-garden structure have given rise to various nicknames, including 'flying saucer' or 'igloo', due to its retro-futuristic silhouette.
