Roskilde Waterscape

This project expands and upgrades an existing indoor swimming hall to accommodate a variety of water activities. It transforms the existing building complex and 1960s water tower into a cohesive spatial experience featuring a range of naturally lit bathing areas directly connected to the surrounding park.

The site, characterized by the existing swimming bath and a significant, yet redundant, 1960’s water tower, appears as an eclectic mix of architectural styles and building structures. An extension to the original 1959 swimming bath was added in 2001, and an additional refurbishment was done in 2011. The buildings appear as an accumulation of structures held together by the surrounding beauty of the park.

The new extension embraces the diversity of users and programs and integrates the various existing structures, providing a natural daylight and reinterprets the potential of the surrounding landscape.

A new diverse roof element ties the entire complex – new and existing – into a cohesive architectural composition. A horizontal window band frames the landscape and creates a strong visual connection between the exterior and interior water space. A series of green courtyards enhance the experience by bringing daylight and nature into the heart of the swimming bath.

The Roskilde Waterscape is the winning proposal of an invited competition, where the jury stated:

“The proposal is beautiful and simple in its architectural concept. The roof scape naturally inscribes the existing building and its significant roof structure, which was one of the central architectural challenges”

“The proposal creates a well-connected internal universe that has a natural flow between all the functions and which is unified in the large roof element. The various skylight themes create a certain character and atmosphere for each water activity, which altogether offer a diverse spatial experience throughout the complex.”

“The proposal offers a unique swimming complex that invites people of all age, preferences and level of mobility. All parts of the complex with its diverse water activities naturally interacts with each other and is brought together in a beautiful architectural framework.”

Program: Public swimming pool
Size: +7000 m2
Location: Roskilde, Denmark
Client: Roskilde Kommune
Year: 2015 - 2021
Type: Invited competition, 1. place
Collaborators: Creo Arkitekter, Thing&Brandt Landskab, NIRAS
Role: Architectural advisor
Status: Ongoing
Team JAJA: Jakob Christensen, Kathrin Gimmel, Jan Tanaka, John Christensen, Sam De Boever, Peter Jørgensen, Laurenz Berger, Brian Vargo, Anders Jensen,

Concept

internal courtyards. The building is extended based on the same ingredients. The existing is upgraded, and new courtyards organizing the internal program are introduced. Visual relationships connect the internal spaces but are differentiated through shifting roof designs. These roof differentiations provide each space with differing spatial qualities.

Concept

The building is extended based on the same ingredients. The existing is upgraded, and new courtyards organizing the internal program are introduced. Visual relationships connect the internal spaces but are differentiated through shifting roof designs. These roof differentiations provide each space with differing spatial qualities.

Bringing in the outside

The different basins and pools are organized around the courtyards. They provide abundant daylight while allowing visitors different water-based experiences in- and outside of the building. The different roof/ceiling shapes create various atmospheres that support the activity and underpins the spatial experience of the pools.

Bringing in the outside

The different basins and pools are organized around the courtyards. They provide abundant daylight while allowing visitors different water-based experiences in- and outside of the building. The different roof/ceiling shapes create various atmospheres that support the activity and underpins the spatial experience of the pools.

The pools

A new 50-meter poolis the largest addition to Roskilde Waterscape. Along the pool, the seating is designed in relation to the entrance area, café and rest of the swimming hall, creating a strong relationship between the large water space and the smaller ones.

The pools

A new 50-meter poolis the largest addition to Roskilde Waterscape. Along the pool, the seating is designed in relation to the entrance area, café and rest of the swimming hall, creating a strong relationship between the large water space and the smaller ones.

Program: Public swimming pool
Size: +7000 m2
Location: Roskilde, Denmark
Client: Roskilde Kommune
Year: 2015 - 2019
Type: Invited competition, 1. place
Collaborators: Creo Arkitekter, Thing&Brandt Landskab, Gronmij
Role: Architectural advisor
Status: Ongoing
Team JAJA: Jakob Christensen, Kathrin Gimmel, Jan Tanaka, John Christensen, Sam De Boever, Peter Jørgensen, Laurenz Berger, Brian Vargo, Anders Jensen,