A gentle restoration of a Helsinki icon

Our office was commissioned to lead the comprehensive renovation as generalists, responsible for preserving the building’s cultural and architectural integrity while adapting it to contemporary functional and technical standards. The design process focused on safeguarding the original spatial hierarchy, architectural details, and rich interiors.

At the heart of the building are its bathing halls. Despite nearly a century of active use, their distinctive atmosphere has remained remarkably intact. The pool tiles — Czech ceramics — are largely original. The first-floor main bathing hall, with its mezzanine, is defined by deep blue tones, while the smaller third-floor hall, originally reserved for women, is characterized by warm ochre hues. During the renovation, the marbled and crystalline glazed wall tiles were restored by hand, with replacement pieces crafted by Finnish ceramicists.

The swimming hall reopened to the public in the begin of 2026.