Page 73 - AIT1120_E-Paper

Entwurf • Design 4a Architekten, Stuttgart
„Ziel war es, den funktionalen Neubau
als attraktive Badelandschaft mit hoher
Aufenthaltsqualität und eigenständigem
Charakter zu entwickeln.“
4a Architekten
Grundriss • Floor plan
Längsschnitt • Longitudinal section
Querschnitt • Transversal section
Bauherr • Client Vitalbad Pfälzer Bergland GmbH
Standort • Location Trierre Straße 194, Kusel
Nutzfläche • Floor space 3.950 m 2
Fotos • Photos David Matthiessen, Stuttgart
Mehr Infos auf Seite • More info on page 118
VITALITY BATHS
IN KUSEL
In Germany, according to the German Life Saving Asso-
ciation (DLRG), a swimming pool has to close every four
days on average. The DLRG warns against the so-called
"pool die-off" and the resulting increase in the number
of non-swimmers. Kusel, the second smallest district
town in Germany, opposes this development and ope-
ned the newly renovated vitality baths on 29 September.
I n order to make the vitality baths fit for the future and to make it
not only contemporary in terms of design, but also to improve its
energy efficiency, the architects at 4a Architekten demolished the exi-
sting building down to the foundation slab. The flat new building in-
tegrates the original slide tower and uses the maintained basement
to accommodate the new swimming pool technology. A frame con-
struction of double-T steel girders supports an elegantly reduced buil-
ding structure, which opens up towards the surroundings with gene-
rous glass fronts. In the course of the refurbishment, the bathing ope-
ration has been structurally optimised and organised from south to
east: Bathers enter the changing room area via the foyer with its trans-
parent design and catering facilities. All adjoining rooms are connec-
ted here in the form of three compact functional units and simultane-
ously provide views into the pool hall. A suspended ceiling structure
made of wood wool lightweight panels serves as a consistent and co-
lour-intensive design element, which also ensures good indoor acou-
stics. In contrast to this, a variety of materials in subdued colours are
used: while the pool hall with its exposed concrete surfaces, dark
tiled floor and white detailing emphasises a light-flooded spatial qua-
lity, the architects finished the remaining part of the building with an-
thracite-coloured components and details. Skylights and flush-fitted
batten luminaires underline the overall bright, family-friendly interior
design. Along the long sides of the hall, seating and play areas, co-
vered with small mosaic tiles in shades of green, which seem to have
been inspired by the colourfulness of the newly designed outdoor fa-
cilities, provide a threshold-free transition to the outdoor area. In re-
sponse, the landscaping continues the curved shapes of the indoor
landscape with plant beds and paved outdoor pool areas. New out-
door changing rooms and a redesigned pool structure complete the
bathing park, which, despite a water area that was reduced for eco-
nomic reasons, remains varied and thus creates the best prerequisites
for becoming an attractive social meeting place.
AIT 11.2020 • 073