The Water Factory in Szczecin is more than just a facility – it's a space that encourages active leisure, connects generations, and inspires learning through play. It's a space where every element – from the smallest detail to the entire concept – reflects water as an essential element of life.
From a simple idea to a large-scale undertaking.
A space where every element—from the smallest detail to the very concept—draws from water, creating a harmonious, fluid whole. A space where water becomes a guide to the world of science, culture, and fun—from the world's largest model of the H₂O molecule suspended under a skylight, through an education center filled with "oceans" of knowledge, to a multitude of water attractions: swimming pools, saunas, and ponds. The structure, inspired by the meanders of a river, allows individual zones to flow seamlessly into one another, creating a space brimming with life and energy.
The Water Factory is not just a facility—it is an innovative ecosystem that expands the boundaries of design, connects generations, and invites us to discover the powerful influence of water on our lives.
The building is divided into two sections, each with a multitude of attractions. The Education Center features a platform and a Knowledge Spiral, where each floor features installations that allow for playful learning. There are also sports attractions, such as a climbing wall, bowling alley, a gym, and squash. The second recreational section of the building houses indoor and outdoor pools, a lap pool, water attractions, saunas, a spa, and restaurants.
Aquapark
The aquapark's recreational area was designed as a space combining family, leisure, and relaxation functions. Its core features 21 pools with a total water surface area of 1,954.4 m² and 11 slides. The spatial layout supports a variety of activities and seamlessly guides visitors between play and relaxation areas. The interior design utilizes natural materials, daylight, and water-inspired motifs, creating a cohesive and welcoming atmosphere.
Pool attractions: Infinity Pool, Sunny Lagoon, Cooling Pool, Jacuzzi Pools, Family and Party Zone, Royal Tropic, Children's Slide, Water Playground, Griffin Cave, Glass Trail, Puzzle Maze, Crazy Frog, Double Racer, Multimedia Slide, and Corkscrew Slide.
Guests are increasingly seeking more original spa and sauna experiences. In response, we have designed unique rooms. Each offers a unique experience, combining relaxation, culture, and innovation. The relaxation zone includes a beer spa, hammam, floating pools, a stone ganbanyoku room, a cinema sauna, a coffee steam house, rooms for Aufguss rituals, and children's saunas. There is also a salt graduation tower and a rooftop terrace, perfect for relaxing outdoors. After a warm session, you can cool off in the snow cave or in the cool pool basins.
The 2,500 m² sauna complex spans three floors, offering fifteen different saunas and steam rooms. A graduation tower and the "Magic Roof" roof terrace complete the program, providing outdoor relaxation with panoramic views. To cool off after a session in the heat, guests can use the ice grotto and cooling pools. Qualified staff ensure safety and comfort, and daily rituals are conducted by experienced sauna masters.
The space was designed as a dynamic learning environment, combining diverse fields of knowledge – from physics and mathematics, through chemistry, biology, and geography, to history and the humanities. The architecture fosters joyful discovery and interaction, creating an atmosphere in which users immerse themselves in a vast ocean of information, learning through play and experimentation. The functional layout, carefully selected materials, and refined details foster creativity and intellectual curiosity, encouraging active participation and shared exploration of the world of science.
Learning through play. A spiral of knowledge.
Step by step, on six platforms set around the impressive Spiral of Knowledge, you can discover how physics transforms into a fascinating game, biology reveals the secrets of life, and history and the humanities reveal the influence of water on the development of civilization. Geography will guide you through the Earth's changing landscapes, and mathematics—though it may seem counterintuitive—will convince you that it is behind every water phenomenon. The Spiral of Knowledge culminates in the world's largest water molecule—suspended above the Edukatorium. It serves as an auditorium for approximately 50 people.
Walking along the platform, Educators and Virtual Guides lead through interactive exhibits, laboratories, and experiments. Water—omnipresent and powerful—appears in six thematic realms: Space, Climate, Ocean, Humanity, Water Civilization, and Hydroengineering. The educational installations offer complete immersion in an ocean of knowledge.
An auditorium in the shape of H2O. It's the largest water molecule in the world.
At the heart of the Edukatorium, a tall skylight spans, from which hangs the world's largest model of a water molecule. Three spherical, mirrored elements – two smaller "hydrogen atoms" and a larger "oxygen atom" – create a water reflection effect and simultaneously serve as a small auditorium. The model seats approximately 50 people, allowing visitors to literally step inside the molecule and participate in multimedia presentations, workshops, and lectures.
The Water Factory offers more than just swimming pools. It also boasts a wide range of dining options, served in several locations. The variety of options ensures everyone will find something to their liking – from breakfast, through quick meals and snacks, to exquisite cocktails and drinks.
The multifunctional outdoor area adapts to the seasons and local needs – in the cooler months, the area transforms into a cozy ice rink, allowing for year-round outdoor enjoyment. Deckchairs, outdoor furniture, and food and beverage outlets complete the experience, creating a cheerful, multi-season recreational space. In the summer, it serves as an amphitheater and outdoor cinema. Inspired by the site's history, it evokes memories and meets the needs of the community and tourists.
Two outdoor pools with a total area of nearly 650 m² are surrounded by wooden decks with loungers, and carefully designed greenery creates a pleasant microclimate conducive to sunbathing and relaxation. Six diverse attractions await water enthusiasts: the gently meandering "Sunny River" slide, the dynamic "Scream," a multi-lane family slide, the winding "Amazon," a rafting route with variable speeds, and a safe paddling pool for children. Next to the pools is the "Funny Garden" – an open-air playground that combines educational elements with active play.
Additional attractions
The 13.5-meter-high climbing wall offers 50 routes of varying difficulty, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced climbers. Safety is ensured by 19 belay stations, including five equipped with reliable TrueBlue auto-belay systems, which allow for a smooth flow of users without the need for belaying. Right next to it is a small room with a mini-gym, perfect for warming up and stretching, and comfortable showers await after exercise. The same facility also offers a full-size gym and modern squash courts – comprehensive sports facilities under one roof.
Bowling Zone - 6 modern lanes are complemented by 6 stylish booths, each accommodating up to 10 players, creating a comfortable space for both beginners and advanced players. A food court serving snacks and drinks completes the comfortable atmosphere, creating a relaxed atmosphere conducive to team building and socializing.
Innovation and technology permeate the project at every level, increasing its efficiency, flexibility, and user comfort. The Central Building Management System (BMS) monitors HVAC, lighting, and security systems in real time, dynamically responding to occupancy and environmental conditions. Intelligent luminaires with motion and daylight sensors reduce energy consumption by seamlessly adjusting illumination intensity to the circadian rhythm. Movable façade elements—automatic blinds, electrochromatic glass, and responsive shades—ensure an optimal indoor climate while reducing the load on the cooling systems.
In spaces accessible to visitors, digital wayfinding, mobile access via an app, and interactive screens facilitate orientation and enhance engagement. Prefabricated modules, 3D printing of custom elements, and comprehensive BIM management were used during the construction phase, resulting in higher precision and better coordination of work. This combination of solutions creates a building that is efficient, sustainable, and future-proof—ready to adapt to new functions, usage patterns, and changing climate conditions.