As a designer, researcher and advocate for swim sites across the world, I connect people to water.

Chris Romer-Lee

I’ve been a swimmer for as long as I can remember. As co-founder of architecture practice Studio Octopi, I developed a portfolio of pools, baths and swim-site strategy alongside projects on dry land. In 2025 I set up my own consultancy, focused on getting more people swimming and improving access to water.

I work with organisations to design and refurbish lidos, baths and bathing places, and have become an expert in urban swimming and tidal pools. My research and writing work demonstrates how such swim sites can become a focus for healthy communities and improved ecologies. Through collaboration with government bodies I also advocate for better access to swim sites of all kinds.

The sea can be challenging and changeable. Protected from the dangers of crashing waves and extreme cold, manmade sea pools provide a safe space for swimmers to enjoy the sea at all states of the tide or weather. My book 

in 2023, grew out of a love for this feeling of security in nature – and the spectacular design and engineering of the pools. In it, I select 66 of the most beautiful and culturally significant tidal pools in the world, looking at their architecture in the context of the resurgence of interest in outdoor swimming.

The book has won several awards including:

Architectural Book Awards (ABA) 2024, joint winner in Monograph category

International Creative Media Awards 2024, award of excellence in Photobooks Travel category

British Book Design and Production Awards 2024, finalist in the Art/Architecture Monograph category

Chris Romer-Lee

Sea Pools: 66 saltwater sanctuaries from around the world

The culture and beauty of ocean swim sites