Dezeen Magazine

Sloped decking creates waterfront slides at Faaborg Harbour Bath

A team featuring JDS Architects has created a waterfront recreation area for the Danish seaside town of Faaborg where swimming areas sit between piers and decked surfaces curve up over small buildings (+ slideshow).

Harbour Bath in Faaborg by JDS Architects and Urban Agency
Photograph by Urban Agency

The team made up of Danish offices JDS Architects, Urban Agency and Creo Arkitekter won an invited competition to design the Faaborg Harbour Bath, which gives an accessible waterfront to the town on the island of Funen.

Harbour Bath in Faaborg by JDS Architects and Urban Agency

"The architects' intention was not to over-program the project in advance, but to create a frame for an unknown content, a place for public life to unfold, the unexpected to happen, in other words a place that people can adapt in their own ways," said the design team in a statement.

Harbour Bath in Faaborg by JDS Architects and Urban Agency

Adjacent to a park, at the end of the site closest to the town, is a pavilion housing an information point and facilities for renting, storing and maintaining kayaks. Both ends of the pavilion sweep upwards from the decked surface of the surrounding plaza, creating spaces underneath for storing small canoes.

Harbour Bath in Faaborg by JDS Architects and Urban Agency

Stepped seating has been incorporated into the ramped facade to provide a resting place overlooking the swimming areas and the fjord beyond, while the smooth section can be used as a slide.

Harbour Bath in Faaborg by JDS Architects and Urban Agency

Another ramp and seating area faces the main pavilion and shelters changing rooms and a sauna beneath a viewing platform at the crest of its wave-like surface. Beyond the changing area, the wooden deck branches out to form three piers that project into the fjord and perform different functions.

Harbour Bath in Faaborg by JDS Architects and Urban Agency

The widest of the piers features a water playground and rectangular opening that provides a sheltered paddling and swimming area for children.

Harbour Bath in Faaborg by JDS Architects and Urban Agency

A central pontoon, incorporating a terraced section where swimmers can sit and dry off, culminates in a raised diving platform, while the third pier provides amenities for launching and docking boats.

The gaps between the pontoons are intended as the main swimming areas, with ladders that descend into the water helping swimmers to climb in and out.

Harbour Bath in Faaborg by JDS Architects and Urban Agency
Photograph by Urban Agency

Changes in the level of the decking introduce variation to the wooden landscape, while gently sloping sections ensure appropriate wheelchair access.

Harbour Bath in Faaborg by JDS Architects and Urban Agency
Photograph by Urban Agency

JDS Architects also recently completed a similar project in Copenhagen – a multipurpose pier featuring undulating bridges and promenades that rise out of the water like waves.

Photography is by Mette Krull, except where stated otherwise.

Here is a project description from the architects:


Faaborg Harbour Bath

With the opening of the Harbour Bath, the inner-city waterfront of Faaborg has finally opened for bathing and recreation/public activity. This new public space on the water adds a new dimension of re-creational activity to the beautiful South Funen Archipelago.

Harbour Bath in Faaborg by JDS Architects and Urban Agency
Photograph by Urban Agency

The Harbour Bath is designed to tie a closer link between the city and the sea. Three thematic piers give room for everyone: toddlers, children and young people can go wild while others enjoy the view of Faaborg Fjord.

Harbour Bath in Faaborg by JDS Architects and Urban Agency
Photograph by Urban Agency

The new development invites to take a bath, go on a kayak-tour, go for a walk or just sit in the sun or simply enjoy an exciting and active public space.

Harbour Bath in Faaborg by JDS Architects and Urban Agency
Photograph by Urban Agency

The project invites for swimming and on-water activity. It offers changing rooms and facilities for rowers, a diving platform, a water-playground and a sauna for the winter-bathers. The architects' intention was not to over-program the project in advance, but to create a frame for an unknown content, a place for public life to unfold, the unexpected to happen, in other words a place that people can adapt in their own ways.

Harbour Bath in Faaborg by JDS Architects and Urban Agency
Site plan - click for larger image

Faaborg Harbour Bath has given the town of Faaborg a new public water-space that facilitates activity and attracts locals as well as visitors to swim and enjoy water sports or just experience the fantastic waterfront.

Harbour Bath in Faaborg by JDS Architects and Urban Agency
Plan - click for larger image

The project is collectively designed by Urban Agency and JDS with the support of Sloth Møller Engineers and CREO for the municipality of Faaborg-Midtfyn with support from the Realdania Foundation and the Danish Foundation for Culture and Sports Facilities.

Harbour Bath in Faaborg by JDS Architects and Urban Agency
Sections - click for larger image

Architects: Urban Agency and JDS Architects
Engineers: Sloth Møller
Site Supervisor: Creo arkitekter
Construction Company: Munck Havne & Anlæg
Client: Faaborg Municipality
Project Size: 2.100 square metres
Structure System: Steel Construction and Concrete Construction