Alster-Schwimmhalle

The Alster-Schwimmhalle is one of Germany's larger aquatics centers, located in the Hamburg district of Hohenfelde. Opened in 1973, it has regularly hosted various national and international swimming competitions.

The Alster-Schwimmhalle is notable for its 102 m by 52 m double hyperbolic-paraboloid concrete-shell roof structure, designed by Jörg Schlaich, then partner at Stuttgart-based engineering firm Leonhardt & Andrä. Resting on three bearings and only 8 cm thin, the concrete roof remains one the world's largest of its kind. Reminiscent of a butterfly –an allegory to its function as a swimming venue– the airy roof structure earned the Alsterschwimmhalle its nickname as "Schwimmoper" (Aquatic Opera).

The building was substantially renovated in 2007 at a cost of approx 1 mio EUR. A further major renovation is planned for 2020 to 2024 at an expected cost of 60 mio EUR, closing the facility for four years.

Facilities


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Aquatics

 * indoor long course swimming pool: 50 m length by 25 m width; the pool's depth is between 1,8 m and 5,0 m
 * indoor multi-purpose & aquafitness pool: 25 m length by 10 m width; the pool's depth is between 0,9 m and 1,3 m
 * indoor diving platforms: at 1,0 m, 3,0 m, 5,0 m, 7,5 m and 10,0 m height
 * indoor water slide: at a length of 76 m
 * heated, outdoor swimming pool: 145m² area; the pool's depth is 1,35 m

Other amenities

 * workout and fitness studios
 * 3 Finnish saunas, 2 aroma saunas
 * steam baths, hot and cold tubs
 * phonothek, indoor and outdoor resting areas, lawn
 * sauna bar, sun deck, restaurant
 * day spa and massage service
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