Balcony Pools in Mumbai

      I have always been intrigued by interesting architecture so there will occasionally be a picture come along on the internet that catches my eye.  I love this apartment building in Mumbai featuring swimming pools enclosed in glass instead of balconies.  A whole new concept in infinity pools.  Not only does this 200 apartment building have the pools but also three levels of car parking, a gym and sauna. 

     

      Known as Aquaria Grande, the 37-storey skyscrapers were the result of a collaboration between Hong Kong-based architect James Law and Indian real estate company Wadhwa Group.

     Do you think this looks a bit scary ?  This is what structural engineer John Michael Grande, studio director at SuperStructures, says, "The concept of the swimming pool balcony, from an engineering standpoint, can certainly be accomplished.  From a safety aspect," Grande explained, "a curb and railing system can be designed along the perimeter of the balcony that has a glass wall attached to it. If the glass wall were ever to blow out, the water would escape, but whoever was in the pool would be caught by the railing system. The glass wall, though, should never blow out if it is designed similarly to that of a looking glass at the bottom of an aquarium tank with Shamu the killer whale in it. And we all know how strong those glass walls are."    

For myself – I definitely would like to spend a little time in one of these apartments to make up my own mind about how safe it feels.