Zimmeregg forest swimming pool
Waldbad, next level
Brechbuehler Walser Architects & Mettler Landscape Architecture
The planning creates an impressive upgrade from a summer pool to a year-round excursion destination. And everything seems so natural.
The clearing
The Zimmeregg forest swimming pool is more than idyllically situated in the clearing of a wooded hill near Lucerne. The comprehensive renovation and reorganization of the 1967 pool, which will be completed in 2024, not only respects this privileged location, it also enhances it.
The clearing was cleared out and the individual areas restructured. Existing attractions were preserved as far as possible, spruced up and, where necessary, relocated or added to – all of this using the topography with height differences of 10 m between the swimmers’ pool and the highest point on the southern edge of the forest.
The design by Brechbuehler Walser Architekten with Mettler Landschaftsarchitektur creates an impressive upgrade from an outdoor pool for the summer to a year-round excursion destination. And it all seems so natural.
The basins
The extensive earthworks and installation of the new technology took almost a year.
The 50 m pool was shortened to 25 m for economic and ecological reasons. The diving facility was supplemented by a 5 m tower. Existing parts such as the short, steep slide were retained and can still be used. New features include the 80 m water slide and the adventure playground with lots of mud and sand – there is something for every age group.
The non-swimmers’ pool was rezoned with an area for non-swimmers and one for the various slides. The children’s paddling pool was newly created.
All pools were given a chrome steel inlay. Starting blocks, pool surrounds and overflow channels were concreted.
The value
The costs of the measures amounted to 15.6 million euros (14.75 million Swiss francs), and the operation of a swimming pool is actually always loss-making at first glance. The closure of the Waldschwimmbad Zimmeregg was therefore also under discussion. However, this was resolutely averted by the population through intervention.
The city council therefore decided to renovate and make it more attractive, with the aim of preserving the location and offering and reducing the high operating and maintenance costs.
The social value of a bathroom, and this one anyway, is priceless anyway.
The age
After more than 50 years, the existing plant was suffering from clear signs of ageing, particularly in terms of technology and infrastructure.
The realized design reorganizes the entire facility, starting with the development. The entrance with ticket office, checkrooms and restaurant is now clearly visible. Technical and storage rooms are located in the basement. In general, the spa very modestly refrains from showing off the new technology, even though it is or could be absolutely impressive.
The timber construction in the entrance area replaces the inefficient service building and shortens the steep access. Another new feature is the additional wooden pavilion (forest bar) to supplement the catering facilities when visitor numbers are high.
The previously fenced-in play area is now open and, as part of the newly formed clearing with barbecue areas and sports and play areas, is now also part of the year-round offer.
The landscape
Landscape architecture dominates the Zimmeregg forest swimming pool. The planners put a lot of energy into making the sophisticated technical installations and safety-relevant components disappear by embedding them – and it paid off.
The architecture is skillfully limited to the simple and obvious. The two new wooden buildings, the Waldhütte and Waldbar, are simple pavilions in terms of shape and geometry with cantilevered, shady canopies – unheated and uninsulated.
As before, the Zimmeregg forest swimming pool will only operate during the summer months. For visitors to the clearing, however, the season can now be extended, including supply, sports and play areas in front of the pool.
Waldbad, next level.
Project data
Architect
Brechbuehler Walser Architects
Zweierstrasse 106
CH – 8003 Zurich
Building owner
City of Lucerne Real Estate
Landscape planner
METTLER Landscape Architecture
Wienerstrasse 20
D‑10999 Berlin
Address
Waldbad Zimmeregg
Schwimmbadstrasse 9
CH – 6014 Lucerne
Bathroom planning
JOP Josef Ottiger + Partner AG
Consulting and planning for building services, HVAC and pool technology
Photos
Andreas Buschmann, Zurich
Text
Johannes Bühlbecker
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