Swedish Cold Bathhouse in Sweden by White Arkitekter

Article source: White Arkitekter

Scandinavian practice White Arkitekter has won an architectural competition for Jönköping Bathhouse; an all-season bathhouse located on the shores of Lake Vättern, in the city of Jönköping in southern Sweden.

The international competition held by Vätterhem together with Tosito was for a bathhouse for the city’s residents to enjoy the Swedish tradition of year-round outdoor bathing, whilst enjoying the unique setting of Sweden’s second largest lake.

The winning proposal is a modern take on the traditional Swedish Kallbadhus, or ‘cold bathhouse’, with a streamlined, minimalist jetty, complete with sauna and viewing platforms. Built entirely from wood, the bathhouse is designed to create a contemplative setting, immersing the bather in the tranquil, natural surroundings.

Image Courtesy © White Arkiteker

• Architects: White Arkitekter
• Project: Swedish Cold Bathhouse
• Location: Sweden

Image Courtesy © White Arkiteker

A wooden bridge-like walkway, with seating running along one side, leads from the shore to the main sauna building, and a seamless arrangement of outdoor viewing platforms, supported on wooden stilts, looks out over the lake. Wooden steps descend from carefully curated points into the water below, allowing a smooth transition from the hot sauna into the cold freshwater lake.

Designed to maximize the expansive views, the unisex sauna faces out over the lake and the horizon. Able to accommodate up to 20 people it is designed to welcome and accommodate individual swimmers, families and groups of friends alike.

The proposed design features a sauna surrounded by a series of multi-use open wooden terraces, designed to simultaneously facilitate exposure to sunlight and offer shelter from the wind, and to create all-season spaces for barbecues and play in the immediate bathhouse surroundings.

Image Courtesy © White Arkiteker

Housed in the same building, the design features facilities including a changing area and kitchen. The project is designed to cover 400 sq m in total, with 213 sq m of indoor areas and 174 sq m of outdoor space.

White’s proposal was selected unanimously by the jury. A representative commented: “The proposal has a good and clear holistic approach with a beautiful and appropriate solution. The analysis of the site and the architecture of the building is interconnected throughout. The proposal has a considerate and poetic way of working with light and shadow, materials, lines of sight and views, different spatial experiences and façade expression.”

Work is due to commence on the project in January 2020.

Image Courtesy © White Arkiteker

Image Courtesy © White Arkiteker

Image Courtesy © White Arkiteker

Tags: Sweden

Category: Bathhouse

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