VÅGEN AQUATIC CENTRE -

LINKÖPING

The architecture takes clues from waves washing ashore – the curves of the building appear as if they were shaped by the forces of the ocean, eroded over time – a transfusion of the nature adjacent to the site, stepping down as it approaches the lake, the massing of the structure follows the natural flow of the landscape. The tower, which houses offices within the tallest part of the scheme, is located at the north-eastern corner of the site to avoid shadowing a plaza at the front of the building. 

The aquatic centre is conceived as build entirely from wood. Wood is one of nature's most innovative and renewable building materials: the production has no waste products and it binds CO2. Wood has low weight but is a very strong load-bearing structure relative to its lightness. As a building material wood is recyclable, highly durable and provides an aesthetic quality and warm feeling to the building. 

The Wave contains facilities of varying sizes and functions, including one 50 meters pool and one 25 meters pool for swimming, a pool area for play and relaxation and a wellness area. Views and connection to the outdoors is optimized by the organization of the pools along the transparent and "wavy" facade with its maximized surface area. 

Photo credits: 3XN