The barrier-free building also plays host to a district administration office, including rooms for meetings and conferences for district representatives.

In cooperation with the Bädergesellschaft Düsseldorf mbH, the North Rhine-Westphalian state capital of Düsseldorf has realized a pioneering swimming venue and meeting place for leisure, sports and politics on the banks of the Rhine.

With its shape and silver-grey facade, the organic building complex is reminiscent of a pebble lying next to the Rhine. It houses an indoor pool, a physiotherapy practice, a fitness room for use by clubs and for physiotherapy as well as an event room for up to 200 people.

The new multifunctional and completely barrier-free building also plays host to a district administration office, including rooms for meetings and conferences for district representatives. Next to the complex there is a large area with 131 parking spaces as well as bicycle parking spaces. And right across from that there is a 50 by 70 metre football training pitch.

The swimming area includes a 25-m pool with diving towers, a separate 15 × 8 metre teaching and lesson pool with an adjustable floor and a playfully designed children’s splash area.

“Rheinblick 741 – Begegnung am Wasser” is the only indoor pool in Düsseldorf that offers swimmers a view of the Rhine.

Thanks to the large windows, the interior is flooded with daylight.

The swimming area includes a 25-metre pool with diving towers, a separate 15 × 8 metre teaching and lesson pool with an adjustable floor, a warm water pool and a playfully designed children’s splash area with many colourful water toys. One highlight here is the “Miniature Rhine”, which flows through the area and can be dammed up.

Around the lesson pool, there is a long stone bench from which all areas are visible.

Particularly eye-catching are the triangular Troldtekt ceiling panels seemingly reflecting the surface of the water.

In the children’s area, turquoise mosaic tiles combined with brown floor tiles and brightly coloured walls create a friendly atmosphere. In the swimming area, large brown floor tiles are paired with brown mosaic tiles, creating a warm contrast to the bright walls.

Particularly eye-catching and an important design element are the triangular Troldtekt ceiling panels that have been installed, seemingly reflecting the surface of the water.

Troldtekt is cement-bonded wood wool panels that ensure good acoustics in any room. The acoustic panels are manufactured using certified wood, which is a 100 per cent natural material, and cement, which is extracted from Danish mineral resources.  

This provides a healthy and strong material with unique sound absorbing properties.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.