Alsterschwimmhalle

As one of Europe’s largest shell buildings, the indoor swimming pool to a design by architects Horst Niessen, Rolf Störmer, Walter Neuhäusser, and the engineer Jörg Schlaich, it is an outstanding example of Hamburg’s post-war architecture. At the time, the concrete shell roof, which consists of two hyperbolic paraboloid shells carried by three supports, reminded Hamburg’s citizens of the Sydney Opera House – and since then, has been lovingly nicknamed “Schwimmoper”. From 2020 to 2023, the listed historic Alsterschwimmhalle was extensively renovated, converted and extended.

The 50-meter pool, the 10-meter diving tower, and the so-called “fitness cube” on the east side have been retained with very few modifications. However, the old, now barely used tiered seating beside the pool was dismantled to provide space for a new, separate diving pool. Furthermore, the extension building to the north was demolished and replaced by a new one- to two-story building. This accommodates a new 25-meter swimming pool, a training pool, a barrier-free entrance area, as well as changing rooms, fitness facilities, and saunas. Overall, the existing water surface area has been increased by a quarter; just over half of the total internal area has been rebuilt. A new forecourt has been created in front of the main entrance. Vehicular access is now via Sechslingspforte, which means that the neighboring residential quarter to the east, at Ifflandstrasse, benefits from traffic calming. The newly created pedestrian route from east to west connects the residential quarter with the inner city.

For more information, images, and videos visit www.gmp.de/ash