Refurbishment of outdoor pool in Sigmaringen

Location Sigmaringen, Germany

Client / operator Stadtwerke Sigmaringen

Architects 4a Architekten GmbH DE – 70376 Stuttgart www.4a-architekten.de

Author Petra Steiner, 4a Architekten

Photos David Matthiessen

FULLY GUTTED AND REORGANISED

REFURBISHMENT OF THE OUTDOOR POOL IN SIGMARINGEN

Nestling between the banks of the Danube and the edge of the forest, Sigmaringen‘s outdoor swimming pool is situated on a beautiful slope on the outskirts of the town. To make the existing facility dating back to the 1960s fit for the future, 4a Architekten have upgraded the existing building and equipment to the current state of the art and enhanced its design. The pool programme has also been revised and some attractions added – for an enhanced bathing experience and a higher quality of visit.

The sprawling outdoor pool grounds, which slope down to the Danube, cover around 40,000 m². To the north, east and south, the facility is surrounded by beautiful trees and meadows, with the Danube bordering it to the west. The aim of the refurbishment was to preserve the existing building structure with its entrance area, sanitary facilities, changing rooms and kiosk as far as possible and to make it more open and inviting in the course of reorganisation. Without encroaching heavily on the basic structure, the distinctive architecture of the existing facility has been given a contemporary and attractive makeover. The new approach takes up the characteristic features of the existing buildings – the striking exposed concrete roofs and walls of exposed brickwork will continue give the outdoor pool its special flair.

Layout dictated by topography Because of the slope, the main building extends over three levels. A striking, elevated, exposed concrete slab floating above the existing roof will make the entrance clearly visible from now on. The barrier-free changing rooms, sanitary facilities, catering, kitchen and administration rooms are located on the entrance level. The serving areas and seating areas for catering open up to the west, with a magnificent view of the entire outdoor pool, the Danube and the countryside of the Swabian Alb.

The second level comprises the rest area for catering staff and storage areas, while the third level houses the individual, communal and family changing rooms with sanitary facilities

and the rest rooms for pool staff. The naturally ventilated sanitary rooms have been reorganised and fitted with new, coloured wall and floor coverings. The basement for plant and storage has been comprehensively extended for the modernisation of the pool water treatment equipment. The 300 m² seating and sunbathing area of fair-faced concrete, which is located above the technical level, offers a special quality of stay. It connects the building and the lower bathing level with each other and is flanked by stairs at the sides. At the end of the 50-m-pool, a new building has been erected for the pool attendant with a chlorine gas and first aid room and a changing room for young beginners.

Enhancing the pool’s attractiveness Modernisation has also included the reconstruction of the pools and pool surrounds. All pools have been lined with

stainless steel, and the swimming channel between the non-swimmers‘ pool and the 50-m competition pool has been removed. An attractive wooden deck in the pool and other features enhance the non-swimmer and leisure pools. A new diving tower with a diving pool, a new wide-wave slide and the 80-m water slide from the existing pool all contribute to the fun of bathing. In addition, there is a newly designed children‘s area that includes two pools with different water zones and depths. Between the pools is a polygonal seating and play feature of fair-faced concrete with a watercourse embedded in it.

This diversified bathing programme and its architectural redesign give the complex an attractive appearance, a high quality of stay and, last but not least, a powerful identity – while respectfully referencing the existing building.