River Pool, Berlin

The objective of the river pool project is to permanently revitalise an unused 1.5 km long river section in the historic centre of Berlin which has not been used for over 100 years. Public access to the river, which has been channelled along a canal, is provided via two wide embankment step systems in the lower bank section, at the Lustgarten and at Schlossplatz. The conceptual changes in this sensitive urban area, part of which belongs to the Museum Island UNESCO cultural heritage site, have been reduced to a minimum.

In the midst of this historic environment, at the former canal, a place has been created for sitting, recreation, and relaxing. And for swimming. In fact, these steps provide access to a natural swimming pool measuring 745 m in length, because the water flowing through this part of the river is of a quality that is suitable for bathing and swimming. A functional changing facility with lockers serving the practical needs of the pool operation has been integrated out of sight in the unused basement of the former Emperor monument.