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.