Poolrooms

Poolrooms, also called poolcore, are a fictional liminal-space concept depicting an apparently endless labyrinth of indoor swimming pools with white tiles and clear blue water.

Poolrooms, also known as poolcore, are a fictional liminal-space concept depicting an apparently endless labyrinth of indoor swimming pools with white tiles and clear blue water. The idea originated with the 2020 "Dream Pools" 3D render series by artist Jared Pike and later spread through internet communities, fan works, and video-game and film adaptations.

Origin

The concept originated in 2020 with the American artist Jared Pike's "Dream Pools" series of 3D renderings. It later spread beyond Pike's work through reposts, fan creations, and community-driven reinterpretations.

Internet aesthetic

Poolrooms are associated with liminal-space imagery: familiar places rendered strange, empty, and disorienting. Some viewers describe the imagery as unsettling, while others find it calm or nostalgic.

Relation to the Backrooms

Many internet users treat Poolrooms as an extension or subsetting of the Backrooms, a separate fictional location introduced in a 2019 4chan thread. In that fandom context, Poolrooms are often presented as a distinct level or environment.

Adaptations and use in media

The concept has been adapted in fan projects and referenced in video games and film. These adaptations usually emphasize the same visual features: tiled pools, repeating architecture, and an eerie sense of scale.