ENIDH Pool

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Swimming Pool

District: Lisboa > Oeiras > Paço de Arcos

Location

The Swimming Pool of the Escola Superior Náutica Infante D. Henrique (Infante D. Henrique Merchant Marine Academy) is located in Paço de Arcos, in the municipality of Oeiras, integrated into the campus of the institution that trains officers for the Portuguese merchant navy. The complex stands in an urban area near the Tagus estuary, offering a wide view of the coastline and a calm environment, characteristic of this area of technical education and training.

The school building is situated on a plateau with easy pedestrian and road access, surrounded by large open spaces and other academic and sports facilities, which gives the location a functional and academic atmosphere, yet also tranquil and conducive to sports practice.

Architecture and Setting

The pool is part of an architectural ensemble built between the 1960s and 1970s, a period when the Portuguese State invested in creating modern infrastructure for maritime training. The building follows a functionalist aesthetic, marked by simple lines, rectangular volumes, and robust materials, such as concrete and ceramic tile, typical of public architecture of that era.

The interior of the pool is distinguished by the spaciousness of the area and the roof supported by exposed beams, which create an atmosphere that is simultaneously industrial and academic. Natural light enters through skylights and high windows, reflecting on the water surface and accentuating the contrast between the blue of the pool and the neutral tones of the walls.

Function and Atmosphere

Originally designed for the physical and technical training of the Nautical School students, the pool served for decades for swimming practice and the simulation of exercises related to maritime safety. Its variable depth and access via side platforms highlight the functional nature of the space, designed for the training of sea professionals.

Despite its educational vocation, the interior environment of the pool possesses its own scenic quality: the silence, the filtered light, and the reflection of the metal structures create a serene and almost contemplative atmosphere, which conveys the symbolic link of the school to the nautical universe and the aquatic element.