Natural Pool at the Schwanenwik Meadow
The Return of Swimming to Hamburg’s Aussenalster
Commissioned by Bäderland Hamburg, the architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp) have prepared a feasibility study for a public natural outdoor swimming facility at Hamburg’s Außenalster (Outer Alster) lake. The concept envisions a new natural pool complex at the historic Schwanenwik site, once again making Hamburg’s waterways more accessible to the public.
Swimming in the Alster has a long tradition in Hamburg. As early as in the late 18th century there were some places in the Außenalster were people went for a swim. Later, in the 19th century, a public swimming establishment was created at the Schwanenwik meadow; however, due to declining water quality, swimming there was eventually discontinued. The current plan reconnects with this historic bathing culture while also reflecting an international trend toward reopening urban waterways as places for swimming and recreation. The aim is to, once again, make it possible for people to enjoy the Alster as an inner-city open space and to establish a contemporary, publicly accessible recreational facility.
The Schwanenwik Alster meadow is one of Hamburg’s most popular public green spaces. Taking this into account, the design responds sensitively to both the landscape and, in particular, the social requirements of the site: by avoiding freestanding structures, the visual connection from the meadow across the Außenalster to the city skyline is preserved, the existing trees remain untouched, and interventions along the shoreline and impacts on boating traffic are kept to a minimum. The facility follows the geometry of the existing pier and utilizes the shallow-water area along the shore, ensuring that the usable water surface of the Alster is barely reduced.
At the same time, the Alster is reactivated as a public recreation facility for the city’s residents. At the heart of the project is a 50-meter swimming pool with six lanes, designed as a floating pool integrated into the Außenalster. The facility will also include two separate children’s pools as well as permanently moored sauna boats. The pool complex is conceived as an easy-access public recreational amenity. “Hamburg is known for its extensive waterways,” says Katharina Fegebank, Second Mayor and Senator for the Environment of the Hanseatic City of Hamburg. “It is important that we truly make use of this water together.”
In terms of construction, the concept is based on minimal intervention and resource-efficient solutions. Solar panels on the sauna boats will make the facility largely energy self-sufficient. Magdalena Weiß, Executive Partner at gmp, explains: “Using minimal interventions, a wonderful pool complex is being created here in harmony with its surroundings. The reed zone along the shoreline will remain intact, while the space beneath the pool will form a protected habitat for fish. The timber-and-steel structure is fully reversible, and a natural filtration system powered by solar energy will enable the largely self-sufficient operation of the deliberately unheated facility.”
With the Natural Pool Schwanenwik completed, people will once again be able to enjoy the Außenalster as a public urban waterfront. The project combines recreation, landscape, and urban space and could also serve as a model for additional inner-city waterfront locations in Hamburg.
