Where water meets city

Vestre Fjord Park in Aalborg has become a popular destination for people looking for somewhere to enjoy the great outdoors and specific outdoor activities. The newly restored lido has just won yet another prize - an Architizer A+Award - for the way in which the architecture strikes a perfect balance with the natural environment.

In a scenic spot on the shores of Limfjorden, facilities have been created for a wide range of activities in addition to swimming, diving and winter bathing.

The open-air swimming pool has undergone extensive renovation and modernisation, and in summer 2017 the lido reopened. Adept Architects and GHB Landscape Architects have worked closely together on the project, and the result is a very successful and inviting ‘fjord park’.

Blending in beautifully, the buildings and steps ensure a perfect transition between land and water – framing the natural environment while providing shelter as well as rooms for relaxation. The lido has been designed for a multitude of activities and includes traditional bathing facilities as well as nature playgrounds, a bicycle track and a water parkour area.

Stranden is the name of the bathing facilities, which include a shallow bathing area, a 50-metre swimming pool and a diving pool. Between Limfjorden and the swimming pools, Tangen has been beautifully incorporated as an elongated strip of land with steps, roof terraces and buildings. The idiom is simple and sculptural, and at the same time extremely functional, as it protects the lido buildings against flooding. As a recurring material, wood creates a sense of coherence as well as being robust and pleasant to the touch.

Tangen also houses facilities for a number of sports clubs and a lifeguards’ office. Café SALT is situated on the large flat area, and is a popular destination in its own right. Food and drinks are served both indoors and al fresco, with views of the swimming pools and the inlet.

Here, Troldtekt cement-bonded wood wool panels have been installed, matching the other materials and ensuring good acoustics. Troldtekt has also been used in the conference rooms and classrooms at the lido. The bicycle parking at the entrance to Skoven is not new but has been renovated, and Troldtekt acoustic panels have been used for their acoustic properties as well as their robustness.