Architect

Josef Schütz, Otto Dürr, and Hans Nussbaumer

Type of Area

Natural lake

Land/water interaction

Pier
Riprap
Promenade

Built Environment Types

Highly built
Low green

Scale of Impact

Block
District/neighbourhood
City

Intervention Scale (Spatial)

Small site

Project Types

Outdoor recreation
Public space regeneration

Urban/ Rural

Inner urban area

Visibility and Openness

Partly enclosed
Partly contained

Reviving public bathing areas

Public outdoor bathing areas have a long history in Switzerland. The first was built in 1822 on the Hofwil estate after a local pupil drowned while bathing in the nearby lake, the Moossee. Public bathing areas have evolved from enclosed places to a more recreational focus, often including sunbathing areas, beaches, picnic areas and sports facilities. The Swiss lidos are an inspiration as a waterfront site focused on public amenities rather than an industrial site. Swiss cities often lack public spaces and so the lido offers rare outdoor public access. 

Tiefenbrunnen lido, which replaced a box pool built in 1886, is situated in Zurich, on the lake Zurichsee. It was built in 1954 and designed by Schütz, Dürr and Nussbaumer. It includes a shaded tea pavilion, a viewing terrace with views across the water to the mountains and a garden in a style typical of the era. The main entrance is emphasized by circular concrete mushrooms and rare tree species can be found in the garden. 

Water treatment in the 1970s reduced pollutants, such as phosphorus that results in algal blooms in the lake, ensuring a safer recreational experience. On cool summer evenings when swimming is not the best option the public baths turn into an open-air bar, with cushions piled on the decks and lights strung in the trees, making it an ideal place to socialise. 

The most recent phased development at Tiefenbrunnen includes a wooden circular pier providing a shallow lake-pool for non-swimmers, a children’s paddling pool, diving platforms and long slide into the bathing area, making this an ideal place for families with young children. The place also includes single-sex naturist areas and recreational opportunities such as paddle board rental, massage, yoga and pilates. 

The water can be accessed via stone steps with a non-slip grille or smooth stones at the water’s edge making it easy to enter the water without getting muddy feet. The stones also provide a place to sit or lay and observe the view. Other amenities include a cycle path along the lake promenade, a volleyball net, table tennis, a playground, and a boules/petanque court.