FLUSSBAD
Berlin, Germany | 5 ha | COMPETITION: 2011, European Gold Medal Holzim Prize
Since the mid-1990s, Museum Island has increasingly evolved into a monofunctional urban enclave shaped by the demands of tourism and political representation. FLUSSBAD is a concept that seeks to explore alternative approaches to a mixed-use development of this historic urban area. It introduces a much-needed recreational amenity to this part of Berlin, bringing “authentic” urban life to a district visited by more than one million tourists. At the same time, it brings the long-standing period of disuse of the Kupfergraben canal to an end, allowing the water to once again become a major asset for urban quality of life. The steps required to transform this river channel into an urban swimming area are surprisingly straightforward, sustainable, and cost-effective. The upper section of the Kupfergraben will be renaturalized, serving both as an initial filtration stage and as a stepping stone within the broader strategy to improve fish habitats in the River Spree. Further downstream, a constructed reed-bed filter will thoroughly purify the Spree water before channeling it through an existing weir into the lower-lying swimming area in front of the palace and the Alte Nationalgalerie. The quay wall along the Lustgarten will be transformed into a large staircase, providing access to FLUSSBAD and generous space for sitting, relaxing, observing the surroundings, or sunbathing. Lockers and access platforms complete the facility’s straightforward practical requirements.
ARCHITECTURE: realities:united | RENDERINGS: ©realities:united / Flussbad-Berlin e.V.
