STRIKING COLOURS, SOCIAL RELEVANCE REFURBISHMENT OF THE LISTED KÖNIGSTEIN IM TAUNUS SPA

For the refurbishment of the architecturally and artistically characteristic and listed spa in Königstein im Taunus, 4a Architekten has produced several alternatives for the design. These also include functional improvements and technical upgrades.

The Königstein spa has been a listed monument since 2013. The spa was designed in the 1970s by the architects Geier + Geier in collaboration with the Stuttgart artist Otto Herbert Hajek. Now, the listed building is to be refurbished and extended by the pool specialists 4a Architekten from Stuttgart while it continues to operate.

The asymmetrically designed building is situated on a slope and comprises four storeys with terraces in front. Characteristic of the spa is, firstly, its material – the fair-faced concrete building is an example of Brutalist architecture –and, secondly, the striking colour scheme typical of the artist Hajek. With its complementary colours of blue and orange, the building stands out visibly from afar from the surrounding greenery and in the urban landscape.

This characteristic design, which has also been continued in detail in the interior, is to be preserved and spruced up in the course of refurbishment. The main purpose of the refurbishment is to heighten the facility's appeal, to expand the sauna area and to bring the building's equipment up to date energy-wise and economically.

4a Architekten have prepared several alternatives for the refurbishment. Common to all is the preservation of the original design's architectural and artistic heritage with its striking blue-and-orange colour scheme.

www.4a-architekten.de