Swimming pool CaLevornia Leverkusen

After the housing needs in post-war Germany were largely satisfied, a real construction boom of outdoor and indoor swimming pools followed. Cities and municipalities felt obliged to provide for their public needs. What started at the beginning of the 19th century as the development of public baths based on hygiene continued to develop into a much more modern bathing landscape. Architecturally, the often sober concrete buildings subordinated themselves to their function as pure sports facilities.

The city of Leverkusen also had an indoor swimming pool in Bismarckstraße, which could no longer be maintained after 30 years of use- due mainly to its concrete structure. In 1998 it was replaced by a new building. The CaLevornia leisure pool is designed as a modern, leisure-oriented family pool. A large-volume hall construction made of glued laminated timber spans the swimming pools, with solid construction in all other areas. Since its opening, it has been one of the most popular sports and leisure facilities in the region, embedded in a spacious park. The heavy traffic necessarily led to the first renovation work after almost 20 years, especially in the changing and shower areas.

The aim of the commissioned Foest Architecture office was to modernise the heavily used premises on the basis of current regulations and technical requirements, both structurally and constructively, in such a way that they continue to attract vistors to the swimming pool. For reasons of hygiene, the 400 square metre changing area was completely gutted. This opportunity offered the opportunity to optimise the room structures and to make the walk-through areas more goal-oriented. The integration of the hairdryer and make-up table into the changing room, for example, brought increased revenue at the checkout and waiting areas. With the reduction in the number of individual changing rooms in favour of collective and family changing areas, the range of products on offer for groups has increased.

The material and colour design is based on familiar impressions of the entire interior, but also takes the opportunity to carefully reinterpret the surfaces. The revised lighting design with brighter, room-zoned direct and indirect ceiling lighting creates a pleasant atmosphere overall. As the demands placed on modern leisure and fun pools are becoming more and more complex, all those involved in the planning process took particular care to ensure that the components were durable, robust and low-maintenance, including the building services engineering.

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