Pool Is Cool

POOL IS COOL strives for the revival of outdoor swimming in Brussels. Unlike most major European cities, Brussels has no outdoor swimming facilities. Besides being a sports activity, outdoor swimming also promotes social interaction and provides much needed contact with the environment. As such, it has a strong impact on a city’s overall quality of life. While there were swimming places in Brussels up until the late 70s, including large open air swimming pools, they all eventually disappeared. Along with them a lively outdoor swimming culture was lost. POOL IS COOL strives to revive the outdoor swimming culture of Brussels through the re-introduction of open air swimming places accessible to everyone. Imagine that on a hot day you grab your towel and within minutes you are plunging into cool water, enjoying the sun with friends and family. To create more places for swimming, we see opportunities both in existing waters and new constructions, a city of the size and diversity of Brussels needs and deserves multiple swimming opportunities. In order to put outdoor swimming on the public agenda and to encourage political initiatives, POOL IS COOL organizes actions in the urban environment, realizes swimming installations, does contextual research and engages in public debates. We are currently working on the second season of FLOW a temporary outdoor swimming pool at the canal in Brussels, and contribute to SmartWater Brussels to make people aware of water quality of the existing streams and ponds in the city. For the latest news and past projects and activities, visit