Rethinking the Existing – Spatial Quality Through Materiality
The future of public swimming pools is not determined today solely by the question of new construction. Equally important is the potential of the existing structure. The St. Lorenz Sports Pool in Lübeck exemplifies how a carefully planned renovation and targeted expansion can reinterpret an existing facility both architecturally and functionally. Together with the Lübeck swimming pool authorities, the architects made a conscious decision against completely replacing the building and in favor of sustainable redevelopment. In addition to the embodied energy of the existing structure, factors such as life-cycle costs, energy efficiency, and the importance of the sports pool as a competition venue played a role in this decision.
A spatial concept combining the existing structure and additions
Rather than altering the character of the building, the existing structure served as the starting point for the new design. Two extension structures thoughtfully complement the facility and create space for additional water features, modern technology, and new amenities. The new layout now combines a 50-meter competition pool, a teaching pool, a training pool, a water park, and a toddler area into a cohesive aquatic landscape. At the same time, the visitor flow was completely reorganized. Even in the foyer, sightlines open up into the swimming hall, creating an immediate connection between arrival and the water. New window treatments bring natural light into the locker rooms and establish a connection to the outdoor space. As a result, the architecture appears more open, brighter, and more intuitive, without losing its functional clarity.
Ceramics as a Space-Defining Element
The ceramic design plays a crucial role in shaping the atmosphere. It serves not merely as a durable surface but becomes a unifying material that brings the existing structure and the new building together into a single architectural whole. The generously sized ceramic tiles create a sense of calm and orientation within the various functional areas. At the same time, they reflect the incoming daylight and lend the spaces brightness and depth. This makes the water features appear even more expansive, while the minimalist material palette deliberately directs the eye toward space, movement, and water.In swimming pools in particular, ceramic thus fulfills a dual purpose: It combines the highest functional requirements—such as hygiene, slip resistance, and durability—with a precise spatial effect. Floors, pools, and surrounds appear to be seamlessly integrated, as if cast from a single mold, and reinforce the design’s clear architectural language.
Sustainability as an Architectural Concept
The decision to renovate was also a decision to conserve resources. Instead of accepting the considerable primary äenergy requirements of a new building, the qualities äof the existing structure were systematically enhanced and combined with modern building ätechnology. Today, new building services systems significantly improve energy efficiency and lay the foundation for cost-effective operation in the long term.
