Interview with Christian Wamberg Rasmussen, architecture firm 3XN
Using the example of Tinnerbäcksbadet in Linköping, Sweden, Christian Wamberg Rasmussen describes the special qualities offered by designing and detailing with tiles in swimming pool construction. Agrob Buchtal has supplied ceramic tiles for almost all applications and was involved in the project from the very beginning.
RP:
You were largely responsible for the design of Tinnerbäcksbadet at 3XN. What are the biggest challenges in a building project like this?
Christian Wamberg Rasmussen:
Swimming pools are one of the most complex building typologies that architects can come into contact with. They are not only technically demanding. There are also many different areas of use that need to be clearly separated from each other: sports, school, children's and therapy pools as well as fitness, gymnastics and wellness areas, but also offices and restaurants with kitchens and cold rooms.
The Tinnerbäcksbadet was handed over to a local office by 3XN after the planning phase was completed. How did you ensure that the implementation of the project actually went as planned in detail?
We developed the project in close collaboration with the client down to the smallest detail and then handed it over to a local office that worked on behalf of a turnkey construction company. Unlike what is usual in Germany, for example, this was not a traditional partner office with which we are usually in close contact. Instead, the office had the task of implementing our design on its own. It was therefore very important for us to produce precise detailed drawings and make these a binding part of the contract between the client and this company. In addition to numerous guiding details, we created precise overview plans for all tiled floor and wall surfaces in the building, which included all relevant information on surface quality and slip resistance in addition to the formats and colors of the selected tile types. In this context, it was essential for us to work with a tile manufacturer who was able to provide us with sound support in the detailed planning of all areas of use at this early design stage. After completion of the swimming pool, we were able to see for ourselves that everything really did turn out exactly as originally planned.
What design aspects were the focus of the Tinnerbäcksbadet?
Not least because of the location directly on a bathing lake with park-like surroundings, we wanted to use authentic, natural materials above all - especially wood and ceramic tiles, combined with exposed concrete. As variations of a harmonious family of restrained earth colors, these were to create a calm, secure atmosphere and at the same time flowing transitions to the lush green open spaces.
Does the size of this swimming pool and the variety of its pools raise particular questions of detail that could only be solved with ceramic tiles?
For us, it is difficult to imagine a swimming pool without the use of ceramic products. They fulfill all the technical, functional and design requirements and are therefore an essential part of our designs. Alternatives could be natural stone and concrete, but these rarely find their way into public swimming pools for economic and functional reasons.
Why weren't stainless steel pools used in the Tinnerbäcksbadet?
We had discussed this option, but ultimately preferred tiled pools with a reinforced concrete substructure. Stainless steel pools were out of the question for us for design reasons. This also has to do with the fact that people perceive tiles as a familiar and pleasant material. What's more, their tactile surfaces and the variation possibilities in terms of size and color allow a great deal of freedom and support the design of rooms with a strong character. Apart from that, the gently undulating round shapes in the children's area, which we created with small mosaic tiles, would not have been possible without them.
What makes designing with ceramic tiles so interesting for you?
As already mentioned, ceramic tiles are available in many different shapes, formats, colors and surfaces. They therefore allow an incredible range of variation, which makes it easy for us to model homogeneous bathroom landscapes and subtle color transitions. As architects committed to craftsmanship, this material also gives us full control over how and with which geometries we design interiors. In terms of surface design, there are no spatially or technically complicated details, just tiles and joints - that's it, that's the whole story. For us, designing with tiles is comparable to doing a jigsaw puzzle or folding origami. What's more, in the end, users can always see how the surfaces are made. None of this is possible with stainless steel.
What challenges do you see for the future of swimming pools - in terms of sustainability, for example?
Tiles are absolutely durable and sustainable products - especially if they meet the requirements of environmental certifications with regard to their life cycle. In terms of sustainability, it is equally important that tile types, colors and surfaces are available unchanged over long periods of time. This means that damaged tiles can be easily replaced and larger areas (e.g. during renovations) can be easily replaced with identical material. When the client of the Tinnerbäcksbadet decided to use tiles from Agrob Buchtal, aspects such as these played a major role. After all, this large and expensive building is to last for many years to come. And should new requirements arise in the future which entail conversion measures, it is already clear today that the homogeneous appearance of the bathing landscape will not change.
