Strasbourg's municipal baths are located on the border between the historic city of Strasbourg and Neustadt, a district resulting from the extension of the city by the German Empire from 1870 to 1918. Since the 1890s, the creation of a public bathhouse for the winter season, as well as for the hygiene of the population, has been at the heart of municipal policy issues in Strasbourg. Built by Fritz Beblo from 1905 and designed to provide a feeling of calm and serenity, they were inaugurated in 1908. The building, revolutionary at the time, managed to combine technical concrete with architectural eclecticism -- a construction of both ancient and neo-regional inspiration. It housed a variety of facilities: indoor pools, showers, sauna, solarium, and even a dog-grooming area. Located in the heart of the UNESCO perimeter, the building has been classified as a French Historic Monument since 2017.
STRASBOURG MUNICIPAL BATHS
RENOVATION OF AN ICONIC LIVING AND SWIMMING SPACE
Respecting both the historic building and today's standards, new life has been given to the Strasbourg Municipal Baths.
The building required both restoration, rehabilitation, and the creation of new spaces in order to enable it to once again become a swimming pool anchored in its time yet turned towards the future. To carry out this delicate mission, the City of Strasbourg, owner of the building, commissioned the SPL Deux-Rives -- which selected us from the group formed around Eiffage Construction Alsace with the TNA Architects agency, as well as Quadriplus and Equalia for the management of the premises. The project needed to reconcile several objectives, of which: to enhance the existing structure; to restore certain elements and decorative characteristics that had disappeared or been altered; to render the building safe and accessible; to renew the technique in its entirety; and to design new amenities intended for the users of this establishment.
For this project, our method consisted of first concentrating our interest on the building in and for itself, in order to preserve it as much as possible and to maintain its authenticity. Thus, the program was designed around the edifice as it stood. Notably, the works conducted between 2019 and 2021 made it possible to create a traditional swimming offer improved by linking the two pool halls; this allows for users to switch from the large to small pool depending on their desired activities. The changes made allow for compliance with the normative rules of safety and accessibility, and thus an optimal use by everyone. Thanks to the modernization of the equipment, the energy bill has been reduced by 40% and the use of water per bather by 80%.
The offer of these municipal baths has multiplied, with a commitment from the local community that municipal swimming pool prices be applied for access to both small and large pools. A new well-being offer is also available, which provides access to the Roman Baths as well as to new sports equipment, such as the new outdoor pool created on the site of the old car park.