Swimming Pool "Schwaketenbad", Constance, Germany

The facade of the swimming bath towards the exterior solely fulfils the purpose of a thermal enclosure – it is transparent and open so that the impression is that of a swimming hall immersed in green surroundings. Three planted roof surfaces of finely balanced proportions differentiate the volume and divide the indoor space playfully into zones. The pools are arranged so that the diving pool, the children’s paddling area and the rest areas are all west and south facing. Towards the south there is a cafeteria with an outdoor terrace, in the north there are water slides. The administrative offices have been designed as an independent functional unit situated at the ground floor level and have been provided with their own access.

The holistic air-conditioning concept minimizes energy consumption, provides for the use of natural resources and takes the specific circumstances of the site into account. Among other considerations, there are plans to minimize transmission heat losses of the building envelope by striving for an optimal surface-to-volume ratio, improve the micro-climate with the help of a planted roof, maximize passive solar heat gains and for the combined usage of photovoltaics and solar-thermal energy.