During a hotel renovation in mountainous South Tyrol, Italy, the firm NOA (Network of Architecture) installed a swimming pool that cantilevers 12 m (40 ft) above the ground. Definitely not suitable for those afraid of heights, it has a glass bottom section that's supposed to make swimmers feel like they're floating in mid-air.
The pool is located in the Hubertus Hotel, which lies at the foot of Kronplatz, a mountain in the Dolomites. Projecting out from the main hotel building, it measures 25 m (82 ft) long and 5 m (16 ft) wide, and is edged by anthracite-colored stone. It appears to be propped-up by tree trunks.
The pool is heated and reaches a depth of 1.3 m (4.3 ft). A glazed bottom and front section show off the amazing mountain views.
The hotel is an unusual-looking building itself, featuring the same kind of tree trunks that prop up the pool placed against its facade. Amenities include saunas, fitness rooms and the like. NOA also installed 16 new suites plus a new kitchen, several restaurants and a new lobby and reception area, along with a new wine cellar and fitness and relaxation rooms.
There are a significant number of interesting architecture projects in that part of the world, including the Starlight Room and Zaha Hadid's wonderful Messner Museum.
Sources: NOA, Hubertus Hotel
