Takin' a Dip in the Dumpster

Oh sweet summertime! As temps rise, so can electric bills and the universal need to stay cool. Which is part of the reason we think it's so brilliant that designers Jocko Weyland, David Belt and Alix Feinkind, the guys behind Macro|Sea, decided to transform discarded dumpsters into swimming pools. Originally reported in ReadyMade a few weeks ago, these dumpster pools (first seen in Athens, Georgia) have been recreated in an empty parking lot of Brooklyn, New York.

The company mission is simply put, "to do projects we find interesting," but their core focus is on sustainable development. Currently, the team is working on a larger project to turn deserted strip malls around the country into community-focused parks, concert venues and more. These dumpster pools are designed with a similar philosophy: creatively repurposing things that already exist and are available for use. While the thought of dumpster swimming may not appeal to everyone, who can't appreciate a project that is kind to the Earth?

It's been reported that these pools take about two weeks to complete and cost less than $1,000. The dumpsters are lined with plastic, filled with water and given a water-filtration system. Seen below, the pools in Brooklyn were embellished with cabanas, furniture, decks and strings of lights to create a literal urban oasis.

For those fortunate enough to have a pool of their own or live in proximity to a beach, lake or heck, even a sprinkler, the concept of dumpster swimming might seem pretty unappealing. But for those who don't have a yard for a pool, or a lawn for a sprinkler, the concept is nothing short of brilliant.