The outdoor pool is more than just a place for swimming—it becomes a shared urban living room, a space where people meet, relax, celebrate, and feel a sense of belonging. Designed as an open extension of the city, it invites spontaneous gatherings, summer rituals, and the creation of lasting memories. It's a place where architecture fosters community. The return of outdoor pools reflects society's evolving needs.
A swimming pool with traditions
The modern Albgaubad was built on the site of the former "Ettlinger Freibad," built between 1952 and 1954. For decades, the summer facility attracted thousands of residents, but its infrastructure no longer met modern technical and sanitary requirements. In response to these needs, the Municipal Public Utilities announced a competition for a new concept. Today, the complex offers both a 50-meter sports pool for avid swimmers and a steel recreational pool with a slide, a rushing river, and an impressive "water volcano." The new pools, with a total area of 1,875 m², provide comfort and unforgettable experiences for entire families.
The pools were set in a park setting, using the existing trees as a natural setting. After completion of the work in May 2008, Albgaubad became the only water recreation complex of this scale and standard in the region. The preserved, characteristic park atmosphere was enriched with modern "water worlds," significantly increasing the attractiveness and comfort of family recreation.
Open-Air Waterside
The impressive entrance roof is the first element of the seasonal pool complex, welcoming visitors during the summer. The above-ground structure includes changing rooms, sanitary facilities, and technical support. A food court with a spacious outdoor terrace completes the overall experience. The entire facility operates on the basis of energy-efficient filters and heat pumps, powered by photovoltaic panels hidden in the roof of the restaurant and the entrance pergola. The layout of the attractions and buildings leads guests from organized sports activities to leisurely relaxation, combining architecture with the open landscape in a simple, clear composition.
A summer full of attractions
The central point of the sports section is an Olympic-sized swimming pool measuring 50 x 16.67 m, divided into six lanes. This space is designed for both athletes honing their form and those who enjoy long, consistent distances – excellent parameters, professional markings, and adequate depth.
The recreational pool's highly varied form is designed to evoke the meanderings of a natural lake. Each zone, with its different range of attractions (a rushing river, underwater geysers, water jets, side hydromassage jets, and an island), invites visitors to move forward and explore the next areas. The recreational pool's attractions also include two water slides – a wide family slide and a kamikaze slide. Behind the sports pool lies the recreational area. Its basin winds like a small lake, inviting you to explore further attractions. It features a rushing river, geysers, water jets, side hydromassage jets, and a green island in the center. Two water slides rise up on the northern side: a wide, gentle one for families and a steep "kamikaze" slide for the brave. Younger children have their own private world: three shallow wading pools at different levels are separated by a green embankment, which dampens noise and enhances the feeling of safety. Next to it, to the south, are lawns for lounging, beach volleyball and badminton courts, and a playground full of attractions.
The recreational area's main attraction is the "water volcano." Periodically, it erupts a column of water to a height of approximately 20 meters, attracting spectators and creating unforgettable photos, especially after dark when the LED lighting is activated.
Water treatment and recirculation technology
The pools are supplied with freshly treated and disinfected water from a system with a flow rate of up to 1,770 m³/h. Depending on the intensity of bathing activity, the system operates in normal or economy mode, and the operation of attractions (slides, rapid river, etc.) is program-controlled, allowing for even load distribution across the pools and reduced energy consumption. The water circuit is replenished from both the mains and from our own wells, and the supply goes to a balance tank for further processing. Water draining from filtration is directed through a plate heat exchanger to the rinse water tank, from which it is reused to rinse the filters – heat recovery from the process heats the incoming replenishment.
The entire treatment system, including the filtration unit and necessary auxiliary equipment, is based on modern technology. Chlorine storage and dosing takes place in a separate, regulatory-compliant room. This prevents cleaning agents from entering the pool circuit during cleaning. shores, each pool is equipped with semi-automatic gutter switches, which drain the washing water directly into the sewage system.
Heating systems
Water is heated by a solar absorber with an area of approximately 1,000 m², as well as by a heating system located in a covered hall. Its core is a cogeneration unit and two gas boilers, each with a capacity of 1.5 MWh, which ensure stable water temperatures even under heavy load.