From Soviet heritage to modern standards: engineering solution for heating, ventilation and pool water treatment problems in the Far North (case study of the children's creativity palace, Anadyr)

Introduction

Development of the Arctic and Far North regions requires not only the construction of new facilities but also the maintenance of existing social infrastructure. Kindergartens, schools, creativity palaces, and sports facilities with swimming pools need regular upgrading of their engineering systems. Particularly challenging are facilities built during the Soviet period, where reconstruction often involves errors related to underestimation of harsh climatic conditions [1].

The Children's and Youth Creativity Palace in Anadyr is a unique facility. It was built in 1974 with funds raised by pioneers from throughout the Soviet Union. Architect Antonio Miche applied advanced technologies for his time, and the building itself became a symbol of Arctic development [2]. In 2015, a major renovation of the building was carried out. However, subsequent operation revealed systemic deficiencies in the heating, ventilation, and pool water treatment systems that required comprehensive engineering solutions. The pool in Anadyr is the only one in the city, and its non-operational condition deprived children of the opportunity to swim [3].

Objective – to summarize the experience of surveying and developing technical solutions to eliminate systemic deficiencies in the engineering systems of the Children's Creativity Palace in Anadyr.

Research tasks:

1. Conduct a comprehensive survey of heating, ventilation, and pool water treatment systems;
2. Identify systemic errors made during the previous renovation;
3. Develop technically correct solutions to eliminate the identified deficiencies;
4. Ensure reliable, energy-efficient, and safe operation of the facility.

Materials and methods

Research object – Children's and Youth Creativity Palace in Anadyr, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug.

Initial data: design documentation of the previous renovation (2015); complaints and comments from operating personnel; results of visual and instrumental survey of engineering systems; reports of previous inspections.

Research methods: visual and instrumental survey of engineering systems (heating, ventilation, pool water treatment); analysis of design solutions for compliance with regulatory requirements (SP, SanPiN); assessment of equipment efficiency (thermal imaging control, parameter measurements); development of technical solutions to eliminate identified deficiencies.

Results

Identified deficiencies and their analysis

During operation of the Creativity Palace after the 2015 renovation, the following systemic deficiencies were identified.

Heating system: uneven heating of premises, non-compliance with standard parameters (SanPiN for swimming pools), increased heat losses, frequent failures. Causes – errors in piping layout, insufficient thermal insulation, incorrectly selected equipment, lack of control automation.

Ventilation system: air exchange violations, increased humidity, condensation on building envelopes, unpleasant odors. Causes – incorrect air exchange calculations, errors in duct installation, insufficient equipment capacity.

Pool water treatment system: ineffective water purification, excessive reagent consumption, unstable water quality, frequent equipment failures, violation of sanitary standards. Causes – incorrect technological scheme (wrong sequence of units), improperly selected equipment, lack of automation.

Developed technical solutions

Based on the survey conducted, STE-GROUP LLC specialists developed the following solutions.

Heating system: a new inlet unit scheme was developed, replacement of heating appliances, insulation of building envelopes, installation of temperature control automation. This ensures even heating, compliance with regulatory requirements, reduction of heat losses, and energy efficiency.

Ventilation system: replacement of air ducts, installation of a supply-exhaust unit with heat recovery, adjustment of air distribution scheme. This ensures standard air exchange, prevents condensation, reduces heat losses, and eliminates odors.

Pool water treatment system: a new technological scheme was developed: mechanical filtration → pumping equipment → disinfection (electrolysis + UV) → heating → supply to pool. Outdated equipment was replaced with modern automated equipment. This restores the correct treatment sequence, improves water quality, reduces reagent consumption, provides automatic control, and ensures compliance with SanPiN.

When developing technical solutions, the following factors were considered: selection of equipment capable of operating at low temperatures; organization of installation during the limited construction season; use of materials and equipment delivered through northern supply (unification, reliability, maintainability); ensuring the possibility of maintenance by local personnel; protection of engineering systems from freezing.

Implementation results

In January 2026, after implementation of the developed technical solutions, the pool was successfully launched. As noted by city administration representatives, this facility is the only one of its kind in Anadyr, and its restoration allowed hundreds of children to return to swimming activities [3].

Key achievements: systemic errors of the previous renovation have been eliminated; reliable and uninterrupted operation of heating, ventilation, and water treatment systems has been ensured; energy efficiency has been achieved through installation of heat recovery equipment and automation; the pool complies with sanitary standards and safety requirements; maintenance by local personnel is ensured.

Discussion

The survey showed that the main errors made during the 2015 renovation were related to: insufficient consideration of swimming pool operation specifics (special requirements for air exchange, humidity, water and air temperature); application of standard design solutions without adaptation to Arctic conditions; lack of an integrated approach in designing engineering systems (heating, ventilation, and water treatment were designed in isolation); selection of equipment without consideration of maintenance possibilities in a remote region.

Comparative analysis: before implementation of solutions (after the 2015 renovation) – heating: uneven heating, high heat losses; ventilation: air exchange violations, condensation; water treatment: unstable water quality, excessive reagent consumption; operation: frequent failures, maintenance difficulties. After implementation of solutions (2026) – heating: even heating, automation, reduced costs; ventilation: standard air exchange, heat recovery; water treatment: stable quality, automatic control; operation: reliable operation, ease of maintenance.

Key success factors: high-quality pre-design survey, allowing identification of both obvious and hidden deficiencies; integrated approach, treating heating, ventilation, and water treatment systems as a single engineering complex; consideration of northern specifics in selecting equipment and materials adapted to Far North conditions; automation, reducing the human factor; interaction with operating personnel (training, consideration of wishes).

The identified problems and developed solutions are typical. The experience of Anadyr can be used in the reconstruction of other social facilities in the Arctic zone (schools, kindergartens, sports complexes) where previous renovations were carried out without proper consideration of regional specifics.

Conclusion

1. Reconstruction of social facilities in the Arctic requires a special approach. Errors made at the design stage can lead to serious operational problems that cannot be eliminated without a comprehensive survey and development of new technical solutions.
2. During the survey of the Children's Creativity Palace in Anadyr, systemic deficiencies were identified in the heating, ventilation, and pool water treatment systems, related to violations of technological schemes and errors made during the 2015 renovation.
3. The developed technical solutions made it possible to: restore standard air exchange and eliminate humidity problems; ensure even heating and compliance with sanitary standards; implement the correct water treatment scheme with process automation.
4. In January 2026, the pool was successfully launched. This event has high social significance, as the pool is the only one in the city, and its operation allows hundreds of children to swim [3].
5. Key success factors: high-quality survey, integrated approach, consideration of northern logistics, selection of equipment adapted to Far North conditions, automation, and personnel training. The experience of Anadyr can be replicated for other social facilities in the Arctic zone.