The “Barbarossa” bathing area has been designed as a modern seasonal facility where sports and recreational functions interweave within a space inspired by the natural landscape. The composition of the site is based on forms that evoke natural terrain—varied levels, gentle transitions, and thematic elements such as rock formations and water structures, which create a more relaxed, recreational character of the place.

An important element of the concept is also the use of solar energy to heat the water in the pools. This solution not only enhances user comfort during the season, but also reduces conventional energy consumption and operating costs, aligning the development with a more conscious and energy-efficient approach.

The facility is located in the small town of Gelnhausen (approx. 20–25 thousand inhabitants), situated in the Hesse region, which serves as a local center for surrounding communities as well as a point along tourist routes. The bathing area is primarily regional in character—intended for residents of the town and its surroundings, but, due to its scale and program, it also attracts users from a wider area.

The development was conceived as an expansion and modernization of the existing recreational infrastructure, with a clear emphasis on enhancing the attractiveness of the space and improving its functional clarity.

The project comprises a complex of outdoor pools with diverse functions and varying levels of use intensity. The facility includes:

• a 50-metre competition swimming pool
• a diving bay with 1 m and 3 m springboards
• a leisure pool for non-swimmers
• a water attractions zone
• a paddling pool complex and parent–child area
• a large water slide
• changing facilities and technical support areas
• food service facilities and a kiosk
• a service building
• extensive leisure areas and grass beaches