The Wunnebad Winnenden
When all’s well
Behnisch Architekten
While many cities and municipalities are closing their swimming pools due to high operating costs or seemingly insurmountable renovation backlogs, the town of Winnenden (population 30,000, located 20 km northeast of Stuttgart) is taking a different approach—with a design competition, experienced architects, and a clear commitment to future-ready construction.


Program
The design is shaped by the site’s unique surrounÂdings and exisÂting strucÂtures, reinÂforÂcing a respectful dialogue between old and new. The focal point of the new Wunnebad is the striking domed strucÂture of the original indoor pool, which now anchors a freely composed arranÂgeÂment of flowing roofs and organic forms that house the various funcÂtional areas.
The key upgrades and addiÂtions include:
- A redeÂsiÂgned, welcoÂming entrance foyer
- An addiÂtional traiÂning pool with an adjusÂtable floor inteÂgrated into the exisÂting hall
- A newly desiÂgned childÂren’s area in the indoor pool
- RefurÂbished summer chanÂging rooms
- New faciÂliÂties for outdoor pool cateÂring
- A redeÂsiÂgned sauna landÂscape with contemÂpoÂrary offeÂrings
- A new dining area serving both the pool and sauna sections
- New admiÂnisÂtraÂtive offices
- A new lifeÂguard tower

The Heart of the Facility
VisiÂtors now enter the Wunnebad through the newly redeÂsiÂgned foyer, which offers views into the indoor pool, sightÂlines to the outdoor pool, and direct access to the chanÂging rooms and sauna area.
From the main entrance, guests pass through renoÂvated and expanded chanÂging and saniÂtary faciÂliÂties to reach the domed hall. This central element of the complex has been carefully restored, with updated surface treatÂments giving it a contemÂpoÂrary look and feel.
The new traiÂning pool with an adjusÂtable floor expands the facility’s offeÂrings, as does the newly deveÂloped children’s area. The lifeÂguard’s station is posiÂtioned at the interÂsecÂtion of the old and new builÂdings, proviÂding an ideal vantage point over all indoor and outdoor pools.

Sauna
A wide stairÂcase in the foyer leads guests up to the sauna level, which opens to the east onto an expanded and newly desiÂgned sauna garden.
Starting just beyond the open-plan chanÂging area, the sauna zone offers a rich interÂplay of open and more intiÂmate spaces, featuring a variety of saunas, relaÂxaÂtion zones, and a cozy fireÂplace lounge.
The sauna expeÂriÂence is compleÂmented by an outdoor sauna with an anteÂroom and shower faciÂliÂties, seamÂlessly inteÂgrated into the terraced landÂscape of the garden. The design also allows for the future addiÂtion of more sauna houses.
The sauna and indoor pool gastroÂnomy form a funcÂtional unit located at the tranÂsiÂtion between the sauna area and the garden, directly adjaÂcent to the gallery of the domed hall.

Tiles
The tiling work for the moderÂnizaÂtion of the Wunnebad Winnenden was carried out by Hertler Fliesen. The company was responÂsible for the planÂning and instalÂlaÂtion of all ceramic surfaces in the wet areas, incluÂding the swimÂming halls, pool surrounds, showers, and saniÂtary faciÂliÂties. Slip-resistant, frost-proof, and chemical-resistant tiles were used to meet the high stanÂdards of hygiene, duraÂbiÂlity, and safety required in public pool consÂtrucÂtion.
PartiÂcular attenÂtion was paid to the proper appliÂcaÂtion of mateÂrials in accordance with builÂding codes—such as slope formaÂtion, joint sealing, and tranÂsiÂtions to adjaÂcent strucÂtures. Through precise execuÂtion and attenÂtion to detail, Hertler Fliesen made a signiÂfiÂcant contriÂbuÂtion to both the funcÂtional and aesthetic quality of the faciÂlity.

Conclusion
The Wunnebad impresses with its strucÂture and its calm, self-assured presence. Through subtle interÂvenÂtions and a series of connecÂting roofs—sometimes cantiÂleÂvered, offeÂring shelter from sun and rain—Behnisch ArchiÂtekten have created a pleaÂsantly MediÂterÂraÂnean atmoÂsphere. That’s the archiÂtects’ perspecÂtive.
The Wunnebad in Winnenden offers a wide range of expeÂriÂences: a large outdoor pool, a modern indoor pool, and a beauÂtiful sauna and wellÂness area. That’s the operator’s point of view.
When archiÂtecÂture leads to results like this, all is well. At least in Winnenden.

Project data
Architect
Behnisch ArchiÂtekten
Florian Waller, Stefan Rappold, Arlette Haker, Elena Esterle, Frank Kimpel, Achim Buhse, Mahboubeh Shoeybi, Adrian Bauer, Lukas Litterst, Thorsten ZwirÂlein (Wiesler ZwirÂlein ArchiÂtekten)
Client
StadtÂwerke Winnenden GmbH
WaibÂlinger Straße 42
D — 71361 Winnenden
Energy
Melior
EnerÂgieÂsysÂteme GmbH
In den BrunÂnenÂwiesen 1
D — 71573 AllmersÂbach im Tal
Tiles
Hertler Fliesen
Esslinger Straße 4
D — 73765 Neuhausen a.d.F.
Opening
2024
Address
Wunnebad
AlbertÂviller Str. 56
D — 71364 Winnenden
Photos
David Matthiessen FotoÂgrafie
Text
Johannes BühlÂbeÂcker
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