Games. Sport. Recrea­tion.

IAKS has compiled a report on a number of trends in the swim­ming centres and outdoor baths of the future.

Photos (3):
Lunnevi­badet in Gräs­torp, © We Group

Swim­ming and water exer­cise are popular acti­vi­ties among all ages and at all skill levels. We also use swim­ming centres to relax – or to be active with our fami­lies. The varying usage scena­rios place demands on form and func­tion when deve­lo­pers, archi­tects and buil­ders have to jointly arrive at the perfect design.

In a report, the German Inter­na­tional Asso­cia­tion for Sports and Leisure Faci­li­ties (IAKS) NGO listed trends in future swim­ming centres. The 16 trends can be useful to keep in mind – right from the drawing board stage.

These trends cover a wide range of aspects that impact on archi­tec­ture – from econo­mics and digital features to new usage patterns.

Acces­si­bi­lity is not only about focu­sing on users with physical disa­bi­li­ties. Changes in demo­gra­phics and ethnic diver­sity also place special demands on swim­ming centres.

Photos (3):
Kinzig­talbad Ortenau, © Olaf Wiechers

A lifelong healthy life­style

Exer­cise in water helps fulfil the desire to lead a healthy life at any stage of life. An incre­asing number of seniors are deman­ding good exer­cise pools. Since fewer parents are teaching their children to swim, there is also a need for teaching pools – ideally with an adjustable/movable floor.

Well­ness is gaining ground

The combi­na­tion of sport and rela­xa­tion has become more popular. It is ther­e­fore a good idea to comple­ment the classic compe­ti­tion and exer­cise pools with well­ness faci­li­ties such as spas, saunas, Turkish baths, treat­ment faci­li­ties and lounge zones.

Fun for children and fami­lies

Fami­lies with children are an important target group for swim­ming centres. It is ther­e­fore important to have faci­li­ties that support play and give children a good intro­duc­tion to the water.

Sustaina­bi­lity and carbon foot­print also play a major role in the cons­truc­tion of swim­ming centres.

Photos (3):
Wasser­welt Rulan­tica, © Olaf Wiechers

Pools as places for socia­li­sing

Leisure acti­vi­ties are also a hub for socia­li­sing. It is important to encou­rage young people to meet at the swim­ming centres. And again, it is important to involve users in the design process.

Sustainable and healthy faci­li­ties

Sustaina­bi­lity and carbon foot­print also play a major role in the cons­truc­tion of swim­ming centres. Measures that save water, recover heat, harness solar energy and mini­mise waste must be in focus. Ideas about a healthy life­style also place demands on tech­nical condi­tions in rela­tion to things like water and air quality.

Safe and secure pools

The risk of ‘anti-social beha­viour’ may neces­si­tate video surveil­lance above and below the water, and increased use of secu­rity personnel at swim­ming centres.

A swim­ming centre can be combined with a sports hall, a gym or even a library.

Photos (3):
Hallenbad Gensingen, © Olaf Wiechers

Impro­ving econo­mics

Swim­ming centres should ideally be operated without incur­ring losses. A swim­ming centre can be combined with a sports hall, a gym or even – as seen in England – a library. Achieve econo­mies of scale by mana­ging indoor and outdoor faci­li­ties in the same region in a single unit.

Private sector focuses on profi­table cases

It can be diffi­cult for muni­ci­pa­li­ties to balance their budgets. Private players often invest in the most profi­table busi­ness cases, such as gyms and large well­ness centres. This can leave muni­ci­pa­li­ties with the less attrac­tive ones. When this happens, it is important to focus on the social rather than the economic bene­fits.

Digital trans­for­ma­tion

Digital features also have an impact on the archi­tec­ture of new swim­ming centres. The ability to track your perfor­mance in the water, water slides with virtual reality and cash-free payments are examples. In terms of the actual cons­truc­tion process, buil­ding infor­ma­tion model­ling (BIM) will become incre­asingly signi­fi­cant.

Good design is essen­tial to ensu­ring a good user expe­ri­ence – so that visi­tors keep coming back.

Photos (3):
Therme Lindau, © Olaf Wiechers

Scar­city of space

Given the shortage of space in many cities, swim­ming centres need to serve multiple purposes. For example, an outdoor baths in summer could double as a skating rink in winter.

Fight for talent

When the economy is healthy, it can be diffi­cult to find enough skilled staff for swim­ming centres and other sports faci­li­ties. Internal trai­ning can be one way to attract and retain employees. Tech­no­lo­gical solu­tions may in some cases be able to replace employees.

Good design

As evidenced by the trends outlined above, desig­ning and buil­ding a new swim­ming centre is a complex task. But it is important to do this well. Good design is essen­tial to ensu­ring a good user expe­ri­ence – so that visi­tors keep coming back.