Adidas Liquid Billboard Dubai: Engineering the World's First Swimmable Billboard
Some projects test a construction team's technical ability. Others test its identity. The Adidas Liquid Billboard Dubai project did both, asking whether a billboard could be built that people could actually swim inside, in full public view, on Jumeirah Beach.
Water Wonders answered that question with a fully engineered custom acrylic pool structures that functioned simultaneously as a swimming vessel, a load-bearing steel construction, and a piece of advertising architecture, becoming known internationally as the world's first swimmable billboard.
Project Overview
Water Wonders was engaged to deliver the project from concept through to completion, managing every engineering discipline involved in a single, coordinated build.
Project Highlights
- A fully functional swimmable structure recognised as the world's first billboard of its kind
- A single acrylic panel measuring 6,000mm by 2,700mm, engineered for full hydrostatic load
- A steel structural body designed to carry over 52,500 litres of water on a beachfront site
- Complete turnkey execution, with one contractor accountable for structure, waterproofing and glazing
- A compressed 45-day handover schedule, driven by campaign timing
- Temporary installation engineering, designed for stability and safety within a defined lifespan
Engineering Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Acrylic Panel Dimensions | 6,000mm (L) x 2,700mm (H) |
| Pool Length | 7,000mm |
| Pool Width | 2,500mm |
| Pool Height | 3,000mm |
| Total Volume | 52.5 m³ |
| Water Volume | 52,500 litres |
| Structural Body | Steel structure pool body |
| Waterproofing System | GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) laminate |
| Viewing Panel | One large clear acrylic side panel |
| Installation Type | Temporary structure, full turnkey build |
| Project Duration | 45 days, start to handover |
The pool's footprint of 7,000mm by 2,500mm, at a height of 3,000mm, produces the calculated volume of 52.5 cubic metres, equal to 52,500 litres of retained water — a load that increases with depth across the full 6,000mm span of clear panel.
Engineering Challenges
Structural Load on a Beach Site
Sand conditions, tidal proximity, and beach access all had to be factored into how the steel structure distributed the weight of over 52 tonnes of water plus the structure itself.
Large-Format Acrylic Handling
Transporting, positioning, and sealing a 6,000mm by 2,700mm panel without stress fractures or seal failure required precise handling and a controlled installation sequence.
Waterproofing a Composite Structure
Every junction between steel, GRP, and acrylic expands and flexes differently under heat and load, requiring specific detailing at each interface.
Coastal Weather Exposure
Temperature swings, humidity, and salt-laden air all affect curing times for waterproofing systems and long-term material performance.
Compressed Construction Schedule
The 45-day deadline left no room for sequencing errors across fabrication, waterproofing, glazing, and commissioning.
Public Safety During Installation
Safety engineering extended beyond structural integrity to access, supervision, and controlled water quality throughout the operational period.
Water Wonders Solution
Water Wonders approached the Adidas Liquid Billboard as a single integrated engineering system rather than a series of separate trades. The steel structure, the GRP waterproofing membrane, and the acrylic panel were designed together from the outset, so that structural tolerances, waterproofing junctions, and glazing seats aligned without last-minute compensation on site.
To manage the beach site conditions, the steel pool body was engineered as a self-contained structural shell, distributing the load of the water volume across a wider footprint rather than relying on the ground itself for structural support, allowing the installation to proceed without permanent foundation works.
The large acrylic panel was fabricated and handled as a standalone engineering component, with its seating within the steel frame designed to accommodate the hydrostatic loading generated by a 3,000mm water column. Installation sequencing placed the panel into position only once the steel shell and waterproofing beneath it had been fully prepared and verified.
To meet the 45-day deadline, Water Wonders ran structural fabrication, waterproofing preparation, and acrylic panel manufacturing in parallel workstreams, converging only at final assembly on site, removing the scheduling risk of managing multiple subcontractors on a fast-track build.
Construction Process
Planning and Engineering
Structural and hydraulic engineering translated the required 7,000mm x 2,500mm x 3,000mm dimensions into a buildable steel frame and acrylic glazing specification.
Fabrication
The steel structure was fabricated to the engineered drawings, with the acrylic panel manufactured in parallel to the 6,000mm by 2,700mm dimension.
Steel Structure Assembly
The steel pool body was assembled and positioned on site at Jumeirah Beach, forming the shell for waterproofing and glazing.
Waterproofing
GRP waterproofing was applied across the steel shell, forming the continuous barrier responsible for retaining the water volume.
Acrylic Panel Installation
The large clear acrylic panel was installed into its structural seat within the steel frame, forming the viewing side of the billboard.
Testing and Commissioning
The completed structure was filled and tested to confirm structural performance, waterproofing integrity, and acrylic stability under full hydrostatic load.
Final Handover
The project was handed over within the client's demanded 45-day window, ready for the "Beyond the Surface" campaign.
Materials & Technologies
Steel Structure
Selected for its strength-to-weight ratio and ability to be engineered into a rigid, self-supporting shell on a temporary site.
GRP Waterproofing
Bonds effectively to steel substrates and forms a seamless, joint-free barrier, reducing potential leak points.
Cast Acrylic Panel
Chosen for optical clarity and proven performance under hydrostatic load as a structural viewing element.
Filtration & Water Systems
Water circulation and filtration considerations were integrated to support water quality throughout the installation.
Finishing & Sealing
Specialist sealants applied at every material interface to preserve waterproofing integrity in coastal conditions.
Why Acrylic Was the Best Choice
Project Outcome
The Adidas Liquid Billboard was delivered as a complete, functioning structure within the client's 45-day timeframe, meeting the structural, waterproofing, and glazing requirements set out at the project's outset. The installation achieved recognition as the world's first swimmable billboard, combining a genuine engineering build with a highly visible brand activation on Jumeirah Beach.
The project demonstrated that a temporary structure could still be engineered to the same standard of structural and waterproofing rigor expected of a permanent pool, while meeting an accelerated commercial deadline, with Water Wonders managing the project from concept to handover.
Why Choose Water Wonders
Water Wonders operates as a specialist in custom acrylic pool and aquatic structure engineering across Dubai and the wider UAE. The Adidas Liquid Billboard is representative of the projects the company is built to deliver: technically demanding, time-critical, and requiring the coordination of structural, waterproofing, and glazing disciplines under one accountable team.
Clients benefit from an in-house approach spanning structural engineering, steel fabrication, GRP waterproofing, and large-format acrylic installation, removing the coordination risk of managing multiple specialist contractors separately, particularly valuable where deadlines are fixed by external factors such as campaign launches or events.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Adidas Liquid Billboard in Dubai?
A temporary, fully functional swimmable structure built for Adidas' "Beyond the Surface" campaign on Jumeirah Beach, combining a steel and acrylic pool with the visual identity of a billboard.
Why is it called the world's first swimmable billboard?
Unlike a conventional billboard, the structure was engineered to hold over 52,000 litres of water and could be physically swum in, while still functioning as a visible advertising installation.
Where was the project located?
The structure was installed on Jumeirah Beach in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
How large was the acrylic panel used in the project?
The single clear acrylic viewing panel measured 6,000mm by 2,700mm.
How much water did the pool hold?
Based on its 7,000mm by 2,500mm by 3,000mm dimensions, the structure held approximately 52,500 litres of water, equal to 52.5 cubic metres.
What materials were used to build the structure?
The pool body was built from steel, waterproofed using a GRP laminate system, and fitted with a single large cast acrylic panel.
How long did the project take to complete?
The project was delivered within 45 days, in line with the client's required timeline.
Did Water Wonders manage the entire project?
Yes. Water Wonders handled the project in full, from structural design and fabrication through to waterproofing, acrylic installation, and final handover.
Why was acrylic chosen instead of glass?
Acrylic offers greater optical clarity, better impact resistance, and lighter weight than glass at comparable thickness, making it more suitable for a large-format, publicly accessible water structure.
Is this type of structure only suitable for temporary installations?
No. The same structural, waterproofing, and acrylic engineering principles apply equally to permanent custom acrylic pools for residential, hospitality, and commercial projects.
Can Water Wonders build similar custom acrylic pools for other brands or developments?
Yes. Water Wonders designs and delivers custom acrylic pools and aquatic structures for commercial, residential, and hospitality clients across Dubai and the UAE.
What kind of projects does Water Wonders typically handle?
Custom acrylic pools, swimmable structures, and luxury pool engineering projects, ranging from residential installations to large-scale commercial and brand activation builds.
Ready to Build Your Own Custom Acrylic Pool?
From concept to handover, Water Wonders delivers custom acrylic pools and aquatic structures across Dubai and the UAE, engineered to the same standard used to build the world's first swimmable billboard.
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