Durability, resilience and wood as a material were also central themes in the transformation of the outdoor baths in Aalborg into a 165,000 square metre fjord park.
“We felt that it was important for the facilities to be carefully balanced between land and water. The basic materials of raw concrete and wood act as cohesive elements, holding the project together. And then there’s something about the contrast between the water, the landscape and the functions that calls for an unpolished materiality, yet with a high level of detailing,” says Martin Nielsen, architect and partner at ADEPT.
At Vestre Fjordpark, the locals and visitors alike can dive into Limfjorden – in that respect, nothing has changed, but in addition they can now also play on the roofs, play ball games, go running, do parkour, go kayaking or just relax. This has made the park an attractive meeting place during the Danish summer.
“One of the goals of the renovation was to open up the facilities to more users. In an outdoor baths, the water naturally takes centre stage, but the aim was to turn the baths into a destination. A place you go to visit and see, even if you don’t necessarily want to participate in the activities. Setting the scene for a whole new way of experiencing the place, while incorporating a wealth of new activities, has therefore been key,” says Martin Nielsen.