Faaborg Harbour Bath

The new Faaborg Harbour Bath and “Blue Base” at the southern end of Fyn, is based on the idea of bathing in the sea and close to the elements. The concept of the bath is based on the idea of creating an open sea bathing area with piers branching out seawards creating swimming areas between them. The various functions define every pier in the bath. This creates a “finger plan” with open basins between four baths bridges of different width and length, where each bridge offers a new way to get in the water on and in which each pool has a specific use. The wooden piers form ramps, stairs, sitting opportunities and small pools for children. The Harbour Bath has club facilities, changing rooms, a sauna and it functions as a “Blue Base”, a meeting and service point for kayak tourism. The Faaborg Harbour Bath will give the town of Faaborg a new public water space which will attract visitors and invite the locals to swim and enjoy water sports.

The Harbour Bath is carefully integrated into the coastline of Faaborg. Following the direction of the canal, the wooden deck is developed with the intention to create multiple possibilities to approach and experience the water from different levels and allow all kind of activities to coexist. The three thematic piers give room for everyone: toddlers, children and young people can go wild, while others relax and enjoy the view of Faaborg Fjord. The “finger plan” with open basins between the three piers, offers multiple ways to approach the water. The wooden piers form ramps, stairs, sitting opportunities and small pools for children. The new development invites to take a bath, go on a kayaktour, go for a walk or just sit in the sun or simply enjoy this exciting and active public space. The project invites for swimming and onwater activity. It offers facilities for swimmers and rowers, a diving platform, a waterplayground and a sauna for the winterbathers. It has been the architects’ intention not to overprogram the project in advance, but to create a frame for an unknown content, a place for public life to unfold and the unexpected to happen.

The project is developed according to a Cradle to Cradle philosopy. The used materials are well defined in terms of chemical contents, effects on air, soil and water, and effects on human health from manufacturing through use and recovery in biological or technical pathways. The wood for the deck e.g. is locally grown Danish oak tree. The project has been designed and built with the help of 3D BIM modeling which has improved the quality of the building systems, products and processes as well as the total material consumption. All components are recyclable and the project can be disassembled and re-used to a very large extend. Designed and developed in close collaboration with the users, the harbor bath has turned out as a great success within the local community and is used and embraced by a wide spectrum of users, both for sports and recreation.