Naturbad Riehen

The town lies in a gently widening river valley near the city border, and for decades its residents had wanted a new public pool to replace the old riverside baths. After winning a competition in 1979 and several unbuilt projects, the design team returned to the question of a new bathing facility.

The idea was to model a natural pool on the traditional timber river baths of the region, which combine a lively atmosphere with a timeless look. The water is cleaned biologically by plants rather than chemicals.

A timber wall screens the site from the road to the north and from private plots to the west. To the east, a timber fence merges into the amenities building with the entrance and changing facilities, under a long sheltering roof, while the south opens toward the landscape.