A recent rehabilitation project in Guadelajara, Mexico, has restored a 60-year-old pool to its former sparkling glory, with big plans for the future. Led by SPRB Arquitectos, the project showcases the enduring charm of historic design and proves that restoration can be every bit as captivating as new construction.
The Olympic Pool in the López Mateos Sport Unit was originally built and designed in 1962 by Alejandro Zohn. With a strong desire to preserve the original design, the architects focused on logistical solutions for returning the site to the beauty of its heyday.
“One of the main objectives of the intervention consisted of the restoration of the apparent concrete structures of Zohn’s original project,” the architects note in their project statement. “Several of them were at risk of structural collapse. A few of them had been modified over the years, and we recovered them, cleaning them of additions and turning them into pavilions for public use.”
The project did add a new dressing room pavilion; however, the original materials and structures were used to repurpose a section of the site.
“The new pavilion attempts to recreate the Zohn structures,” the architects explain. “The roof structure is supported by several structural cores that house the wet areas and engine rooms. The V-section beams allow for natural ventilation and overhead lighting, while projecting beyond the wall envelope that forms the facade to dislodge rainwater.”
New meets old in this remarkable restoration project, proving that a complete revamp is not always the better option for a site such as the Olympic Pool; sometimes, the best results come from an appreciation for the original build and a continued homage paid to the original artist’s work.
This article first appeared in the July 2025 issue of AQUA Magazine — the top resource for retailers, builders and service pros in the pool and spa industry. Subscriptions to the print magazine are free to all industry professionals. Click here to subscribe.
