Elisabeth Hall

Indoor swimming hall from the art nouveau era

While once extremely popular, very few classic public baths from the art nouveau era still exist in Germany today. Elisabeth Hall was originally designed as a thermal bath which opened in 1911. The complex initially featured showers and pools, as well as a Roman-Irish steam room and a dog bath. A strict gender segregation called for two separate bath halls, the larger of the two includes a grand Neptune fountain. Arched windows introduce an abundance of daylight into the space which has been operational for more than 100 years.

Through times of war and occupation after the second World War the bath hall took on various uses and has undergone many renovations. However, extensive renovation work took place in preparation for the buildings’ centennial when it reopened like never before in 2011. The architecture firm responsible for the most recent renovation called Elisabeth Hall “an architectural and structural design gem.” The public baths received technological updates, while all installations added after its original construction were removed and building elements that had been hidden over the past century were uncovered. The facilities are now used by 18 schools and clubs, in addition to regular general admission.

BEGA luminaires provide the lighting for this prestigious swimming hall in Aachen’s city center. Asymmetric wall mounted surface washers uplight the high vaulted ceiling. This indirect lighting simultaneously highlights the impressive architecture, and prevents glare for swimmers in the pool below. Details in the changing rooms such as timber accents and marble walls transports visitors back to a different era. The second level balcony is lined with wrought iron railings and is illuminated by BEGA unshielded ceiling luminaires. Hand-blown three-ply opal glass provides a soft and even light distribution for the perimeter walkways and adjacent changing rooms.