Preserving a Modernist Icon: The Renovation of Mühltal Open-Air Pool

Originally built between 1957 and 1959, the Mühltal Open-Air Pool is among the earliest examples of an “experiential” public bath in postwar West Germany. Its distinctive Z-shaped layout, exposed concrete structure, and yellow brick detailing make it both architecturally and culturally significant. Today, the site is undergoing a preservation-minded renovation paired with a full technical upgrade.

Featuring a diving pool, lap lanes, children’s splash area, sweeping waterslide, and even an underwater viewing window for spectators, the Mühltalbad is more than a public pool—it is a spatial and atmospheric singularity. Since the 1980s, the facility has been heated by a solar thermal system.

The design challenge lies in safeguarding the pool’s unique character while guiding it into the future. Through a careful balance of preservation and renewal, the project aims to transform the Mühltalbad into an inclusive, energy-efficient, and contemporary public amenity—one that remains deeply rooted in its architectural legacy and continues to serve the city as a place of shared experience.