Badehaus am Kaiserstrand, Bregenz, Austria

Click to enlarge.
all photos © Caroline Hather.

In the tradition of the bathing machines popular in 18th & 19th century Europe, das Badehaus am Kaiserstrand provides changing facilities and steps down for bathing in the lake as well as event rooms, a cafe and sunbathing facilities. It is located in an interesting part of the world - Lake Constance or Bodensee as it is known in Germany, has shores belonging to Switzerland, Germany and Austria meaning that whilst sunbathing one can gaze at the mountains of three different lands.

Designed by local architects Lang + Schwärzler Architekturbüro and operated by the recently renovated historic Seehotel, the bathing pavilion is clad inside and out almost entirely in pine. Externally this has weathered down to a silver grey that harmonises perfectly with the pale blues of the water and skies in this beautiful and tranquil part of the world. Movement is created in what could have become a monotonous facade through varying transparencies and folding shutters. The changing form reflects all the different activities that take place within over the course of the days and seasons.

Accessed via a 40m* long walkway giving full access from the lake promenade and linking the pavilion to the Seehotel, the route takes you directly through the building to the open rear deck which provides wide views of the lake and mountains beyond. Restrooms and changing rooms are located to either side of the corridor but showers are open to the rear deck so that bathers can rinse off after a swim without leaving sight of the lake.

For such a simple form, it offers a great range of enclosed and open accommodation and the deck on the roof has to be one of the top 10 places in the world to take an early morning yoga class. The restaurant which is fully glazed and seats 50 can be hired out for weddings and is host to jazz and classical concerts.

* or 42m depending on which source you believe!

Links & Resources:

http://www.seehotel-kaiserstrand.com/restaurant-bodensee/badehaus/

http://www.austria-architects.com/de/lang-schwaerzler/de/

http://www.hagen-huster.at/

Floor plans & Sections can be found in the March issue (2012) of Detail magazine.

http://www.detail.de/architektur/themen/badehaus-in-lochau-018287.html