Paracelsus Bad & Kurhaus | Salzburg/Austria | 2019

Architects: Berger+Parkkinen Associated Architects
Client: City of Salzburg
Design Team: Alfred Berger, Tiina Parkkinen, Mascha Lenia, Trebotic Frane Matthias, Najvarova Lucie, Ganea Serban, Hofer Susanne, Coreth Leonhard, Fischbeck Sebastian, Gecys Jurgis, Gulinska Anna, Ambrus Adam, Berger Lola, Casanóva Alejandro, Centi Matteo, Florian Fanni Aliz, Kozin Jure, Magiera Joanna, Rehorova Martina, Rehortova Veronika, Rückerl Lukas, Strohbach Susanne, and Vjesticova Marijana
General Contractor: Ing. Hans BodneR BaugmbH & Co KG
Landscape Architects: idealice
Photographer: Christian Richters

The new public bath represents a visionary architectural project in the city’s historical center. The building’s outstanding impact is a result of the dialogue between the new spaces and existing surroundings: the new "Paracelsus Bad & Kurhaus" in Salzburg is a visionary architectural project in the heart of the historic city of Salzburg.

In terms of urban development, it forms a link between the late 19th-century block structures of Auerspergstraße, the open development along Schwarzstraße, the landscape of the Kurgarten, and the Mirabellgarten.

The “Paracelsus Bad & Kurhaus” was conceived as a three-dimensional landscape with the building's main elements forming a clearly legible vertical layering.

The rather introverted plinths of the bath contain on three floors the city's health and spa services and the pool's changing rooms. The entire roof level, used for the sauna facilities and their spectacular outdoor pool, features a view of the entire city. The indoor swimming pool is conceived as an expansion of the park on the third floor, with unforgettable views of the town, the impressive fortress, and the mountain peaks in the background.

A continuous band of large, storey-height glass elements forms the boundary outside, bringing the urban surroundings’ beauty deep into the space. The animated ceiling with its different heights underscores the variety to be found in the spatial and atmospheric context.

The gastronomic and sauna facilities are located at the top of the building. Three saunas face the city with panoramic views, while the central and largest sauna is both, sauna and lounge, focusing on the Pfarrkirche Mülln. A relaxation zone provides an unobstructed view of the hilly landscape to the North and Maria Plain. In the outdoor pool, guests have the sense of bathing above the city’s rooftops. Through the visual integration of the city’s treasures, the project offers a unique combination of physical relaxation and cultural inspiration.

The project planning aimed for a highly efficient building from the very beginning.

A comprehensive sustainability analysis was performed, the first time ever for an indoor pool in Austria. The goal, achieving the highest level of certification klimaaktiv GOLD, was met. Finished objects that have been awarded gold are – in line with the city of Salzburg’s Smart City strategy – pioneers for climate protection and a comprehensive transition to renewable energy.