To infinity and beyond: The skyscraper pool that's very 007

Death-defying swimming pools are apparently set to become the latest architectural trend.

That’s according to a firm that has designed the world’s first 360-degree infinity pool, which will sit on top of a 55-storey 200m skyscraper in London called Infinity London.

The 600,000-litre pool features see-through acrylic sides and a transparent floor, so people below will be able to see the swimmers far above.

The pool and the building have been developed by a UK-based company, Compass Pools.

The pool is made from cast acrylic rather than glass, as this material "transmits light at a similar wavelength to water so the pool will look perfectly clear", the firm says.

Swimmers will access it through a rotating spiral staircase based on the door of a submarine, rising from the pool floor when someone wants to get in or out.

Other advanced technical features include a built-in anemometer to monitor the wind speed.

This is linked to a computer-controlled building management system to ensure the pool stays at the right temperature and water doesn’t get blown down to the streets below.

The pool’s heating system will use waste energy from the air conditioning system for the building.

The hot gas that is produced as a by-product of creating cold air in the building will run through a heat exchanger to heat the water for the pool.

It is also fitted with a full spectrum of lights which will give the building the appearance of a sparkling jewel-topped torch at night.

Compass Pools' swimming pool designer and technical director, Alex Kemsley, said: "Architects often come to us to design rooftop infinity pools, but rarely do we get a say in the building design because the pool is usually an afterthought.

"But on this project, we actually started with the pool design and essentially said, 'How do we put a building underneath this?'

"When we designed the pool, we wanted an uninterrupted view, both above and below the water."

He added: "Pop your goggles on and with a 360-degree view of London from 220m up, it really will be something else – but it’s definitely not one for the acrophobic.

"We faced some quite major technical challenges to this building, the biggest one being how to actually get into the pool.

"Normally a simple ladder would suffice, but we didn’t want stairs on the outside of the building or in the pool as it would spoil the view – and obviously you don’t want 600,000 litres of water draining through the building either.

"The solution is based on the door of a submarine, coupled with a rotating spiral staircase which rises from the pool floor when someone wants to get in or out – the absolute cutting edge of swimming pool and building design and a little bit James Bond to boot."

Construction on Infinity London could begin as early as next year if all of the partners and contractors are confirmed.

Compass Pools says it will have a five-star international hotel on the top floors and the pool will be used by its guests.

- Daily Mail