Skip to content

Sportbad Friedrichshafen

Friedrichshafen, DE
2014–2019
Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Sportbad Friedrichshafen. Courtyard with glass buildings around a pool, landscaped garden with trees and umbrellas, and terraces under a partly cloudy sky.
Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Sportbad Friedrichshafen. Courtyard with glass buildings around a pool, landscaped garden with trees and umbrellas, and terraces under a partly cloudy sky.

The Sportbad Friedrichshafen, a health and fitness spa, is centered around a landscaped courtyard, revealing its character from the inside out. A sport pool, sauna area and water features all contribute to a diverse amenity, appealing to adults, children, sport fans, and recreational users alike.

Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Sportbad Friedrichshafen. Brief concept outline on the topic of form finding.

Located on the former trade fair grounds of the Sportpark site, the health and fitness spa wraps around a central interior courtyard dedicated to rest and relaxation, where shrubs and small trees create a sense of natural seclusion. This landscaped garden forms the heart of the complex, featuring inviting outdoor areas and an additional sauna garden that enhance the overall experience.

The bathing hall arranged around this courtyard includes a textile steam bath, a swim-out channel connected to the saltwater pool, a toddler zone with interactive water features, a teaching pool, a lap pool, and an 80 meter long water slide. A separate pool for schools and clubs includes an integrated diving area with platforms of different heights. Adjacent to this, the course pool is enclosed by glass walls and equipped with a full-length movable floor, providing flexible conditions for a wide range of aquatic programs. Warm benches clad in green tiles invite visitors to rest and relax in selected places. All areas have a direct relationship to both the surroundings and the garden.

Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Sportbad Friedrichshafen. Courtyard with glass buildings around a pool, landscaped garden with trees and umbrellas, and terraces under a partly cloudy sky. People are swimming in the pool.
Parents and children in swimwear sit on a bench in a bright indoor swimming pool area in front of large windows. Concrete walls and a yellow entrance to the water slides are visible in the background.
swipe
Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Sportbad Friedrichshafen. Courtyard with glass buildings around a pool, landscaped garden with trees and umbrellas, and terraces under a partly cloudy sky. People are swimming in the pool.
Parents and children in swimwear sit on a bench in a bright indoor swimming pool area in front of large windows. Concrete walls and a yellow entrance to the water slides are visible in the background.
Client
Stadt Friedrichshafen Stadtbauamt Friedrichshafen
Architects
Behnisch Architekturbüro
Address

Sportpark 1
88046 Friedrichshafen
Germany

Gross Area

26.810 qm / 288,580 sq.ft (incl. Parking Garage)

Gross Volume

108.677 cbm / 3,837,928 cu.ft.

Photography

David Matthiessen

Competition

2013, 1st prize

Awards

2019 IDA Design Awards, gold
2020 The Plan Award, finalist

The sauna world on the upper level integrates a variety of saunas, innovative showers, a plunge pool, assorted quiet zones with distinct atmospheres, and a room with an open hearth. Warm, tactile materials and different wood paneling enhance this cozy character. Catering facilities on this floor serve both the pool and sauna visitors.

Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Sportbad Friedrichshafen. Indoor wellness area with a small plunge pool, tiled floor, and wood-paneled sauna rooms. The left side of the room features red walls, and the sauna rooms are surrounded by blue accent lighting.
Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Sportbad Friedrichshafen. Close-up of the surface covered with small circular tiles in shades of red, orange, brown, and black arranged in a dense pattern.
swipe
Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Sportbad Friedrichshafen. Indoor wellness area with a small plunge pool, tiled floor, and wood-paneled sauna rooms. The left side of the room features red walls, and the sauna rooms are surrounded by blue accent lighting.
Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Sportbad Friedrichshafen. Close-up of the surface covered with small circular tiles in shades of red, orange, brown, and black arranged in a dense pattern.

Level 1

Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Sportbad Friedrichshafen. Modern interior corridor with staircase, glass railing, wood ceiling panels, concrete walls, and directional signage for changing rooms and sauna.

Projecting facade elements facilitate the greening of the structure so as to further refine the interplay between open and closed sections. Together with Ockert und Partner, we developed a comprehensive guidance system to help people orient themselves through the complex.

The complex features a parking garage seamlessly integrated into the design by virtue of a distinctive folded roof scape. This feature keeps the area in front of the building free from traffic, creating a welcoming zone. The plaza in front of the main entrance functions as an open air venue for different events. Inside, a bright foyer channels different user groups according to their specific needs.

Project by Behnisch Architekturbuero, Sportbad Friedrichshafen. A modern sports pool with a glass facade and cantilevered roof; people strolling across a large paved square under a clear blue sky.

Related