chatillon architectes completes renovation of historic municipal baths in strasbourg

the baths are located at the crossroads of the medieval city of strasbourg and the neustadt, a district resulting from the extension of the city by the german empire from 1870 to 1918. located in the heart of the UNESCO perimeter, the structure is classified as a historical monument since 2017. the building, revolutionary for its time, manages to combine technical concrete and architectural eclecticism, construction of both antique and neo-regional inspiration. when it opened, the site offered a variety of facilities: indoor pools, public showers, sauna, solarium, and even a dog grooming area.

all images by cyrille weiner

preserving the initial charm and qualities of the historic baths

to carry our this renovation project, the city of strasbourg, owner of the building, has entrusted SPL deux-rives, which selected the group of companies led by eiffage construction alsace, in partnership with chatillon architectes (find more here) which carried out the restoration and rehabilitation project for the covered facility and the emblematic interiors, and TNA (find more here) for the construction of the new aquatic and sports facilities.

the project includes the restoration and upgrade of the building, as well as its adaptation to new contemporary uses. the intervention had to meet several objectives: to enhance the value of the existing building, to restore certain elements and decorations that had disappeared or been altered, to ensure that the building was safe and accessible, to renew all of the technical equipment and to design the contemporary fittings expected by the users of this facility. in a nutshell, to anchor it in our time without giving up its initial character and qualities. ‘this is not a building that leaves one unmoved. when you come for a visit, there is a very clear poetic relationship to space and to light. it has plenty of charm. it is a construction of both antique and neo-regional inspiration. this equilibrium is fragile and it is necessary to preserve it,’ says françois chatillon, founder of chatillon architectes.

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project info:

name: municipal baths in strasbourg
architects: chatillon architectes
associate architects: thierry nabères architects (TNA)

photography: cyrille weiner

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edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom