The goal of the competition was the conversion of the swimming pool into an art museum.

The main intention of this design is to awaken dormant potential in the existing ensemble of buildings with a respectful approach and to generate a valuable contribution and additional source of identity for the city of Schweinfurt with the museum and the actions accompanying it.

An axis of access with two balanced sculptural entry portals “breaks” up the building and links Hans-Sachs-Bad as a new museum with the existing offerings in terms of culture and leisure. The axis runs under the building and expands across the front square towards the entrance hall, which at the same time serves as a summer stage. The flooded courtyard is above the entrance foyer. Footbridges, islands, and the defining element of water recall the original function of the building. An additional borrowing from the former swimming pool can be found in the execution of the exhibition spaces: on entering and leaving the space, the sense of gradual immersion or surfacing is staged. In their flexibility and clarity, the spaces themselves offer a simple framework for the art presented (in collaboration with Studio DRAM · www.dramstudio.it).

Images: © ATELIER D ARCHITETTURA · Concept: 2005