Henning Larsen Architects has designed the new indoor swimming pool—“Badhuset”—that opened in September of this year. A computerised light show has been integrated behind the facade, adding life to the building in the dark hours of the fall.

The new “Badhuset” in Ystad is a concrete construction clad in a perforated, dark-finish aluminium façade. In the space between the concrete and the façade, a giant panel of computer-controlled LED lights has been installed, which illuminates the façade from the inside with an exciting and changeable variety of colours. When the façade is illuminated, a visual illusion makes the glowing building seem to hover above the ground. The new indoor swimming pool is given a life of its own and can change character according to the season or occasion.

The building’s regular geometric shape is broken up by large expanses of glazing, placed in relation to the primary functions of the building to ensure both optimal utilisation of daylight and views into the activities of the swim hall. The space between the structure and the facade also allows for deeply recessed windows—an elegant and aesthetically appealing solution that also fills the building with reflected daylight. In addition, the recessed window ledges create an optical illusion that makes the construction of the façade seem unusually deep.

The illuminated, deep façade is the fundamental basis of the design concept of the new “Badhus”. The distinctive façade design will be a recognisable hallmark of the new Ystad Arena sports complex, which in time also will include a large athletic venue for handball matches as well as a smaller centre for practice.

The entire sports complex is expected to be complete in 2016.

All Images © Henning Larsen Architects

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