ArchShowcase Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Drautal perle in Drau, Austria by MHM architectsNovember 28th, 2012 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: MHM architects The indoor and outdoor swimming pool facility “Drautalperle” is located in Spittal/Drau in northern part of the Austrian region of Carinthia, one of the most beautiful fluvial topographies in the Alps. Therefore the central topic of the design was the fusion between inside room and outside landscape, what has been maintained by placing big windows resembling oxygen bubbles in water. By this means it was possible to break up the usually rigid partition between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Due to the building location in the urban tissue and its function as identification point and landmark, the architectonical embodiment of the “Drautalperle” has had a high signification from the very beginning. The individual openings of the windows break up the monolithic facades and create a suspenseful appearance with clear and simple elegance, where compactness and transparency differentiate the cubage and cause a shimmering depth game – the charming tension relationship of opaque and transparent areas lifts out the use-specific requirements. Great value was attached to both, openness to the inside and to the outside – brightness and transparency create an agreeable and eased room climate, where spectacular looks at the Goldeckmountain and the Drau valley ensure the perceptibilityof the surrounding landscapeon the inside. On the outside the generous forecourt creates an adequate front-end as a meeting and communication point and together with the building it forms a cushion between public and internal areas. The design of the building purses the aim of drawing not only the attention but also the emotions of the observer on itself with the means of sensory perfection. Light and shade manage a live game of the surfaces and color layers. In the inner area natural and artificial light exist with equal right and complete each other. The clear detectability as an indoor swimming pool and the creation of an adequately arranged building under avoidance of scenery architecture was central aim of the architectural concept and design. The room effect is caused by the architectural gesture: light, color, material and room form create a surrounding with a high re-reconnaissance factor. The innovative artificial lighting engineering supports the natural light conditions in order that different atmospheres can be created seamlessly – a soften pleasure on the bathing stay is guaranteed even on misty winter’s days. Besides the sporting training more and more indoor swimming pool visitors are looking primarily for a leisure experience with diversion and entertainment for the whole family: leisure and pleasure baths with vacation ambiance, experience catering trade and comprehensive offers for relaxation, pleasureand entertainment form the basis for steadily high and still increasing numbers of visitors. Focused on the function an architectural aim therefore was also an attractive weather independent bathing supply for everyone, an appealing teaching supply for schools and also an complete offer of training water expanses for the organization sports. On the inside there is on an area of 7.500 m² a big variety of possibilities to be active in the water, like two competition pools, an adventure pool with a black hole water slide (with music and light show), a huge recreational spa area with sauna, steam bath and Jacuzzi, furthermore there is a restaurant and shops like barber or massage therapist. The range of possibilities being active is well rounded by playgrounds and a large pool on the outside, where you have an amazing view on the mountain landscape of the area. The project came out of an international competition in 2006, covering the topics of planning, building and financing. Contact MHM architects
Category: Swimming Pool |