Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Marnix Sports Centre

Program Sports centre of aprox. 5,400 m² with 2 indoor swimming pools of in total 1,505 m² (a competition pool of 25×12,5 m. and a recreational pool of 20×10 m.), a sports hall 1.502 m² (31,5×24,5 m.), fitness and spa of 565 m², grand café-restaurant of 311 m², offices of 152 m², underground bicycle parking of 429 m² and technical and traffic space of 986 m²

Functional architecture

The old Marnix Swimming Pool, built in 1955, is being replaced by the Marnix Sports Centre. The building was unique because of the functional style of architecture at the time, the stacking of functions – public baths, wash room and swimming pool – and the raised, projecting multi-purpose pool with glass facade. Because the Marnix Swimming Pool had become too old and no longer met its requirements it had to be demolished.

Two swimming pools

In collaboration with Wind Groep, Mecanoo designed the new Marnix Sports Centre on the same site. The sports centre has two swimming pools, a twenty-five metre competition pool and a multi-purpose pool. It also comprises a sports hall, a fitness/aerobics space, a cafe with terrace, offices and a staff room. In the smaller building block, at the level of the entrance hall, are the offices and the kitchen and above these the fitness/aerobics areas. From the fitness area one can look through the central hall to the two swimming pools lying two floors lower and to the sports hall.

Meeting place

The facade facing the Marnixstraat is constructed from red/orange masonry, with various parts of glass and aluminium. The facade at the Zaagpoort bridge is transparent, turning the building into a visual gateway to the inner city. The characteristics of the original swimming pool have been incorporated into the new design. The expression of the building is utilitarian, functional, clear and robust, and the translucent facade of the sports hall juts out over the Singel canal, just as the old Marnix Swimming Pool did. Like the old pool, the new sports complex will play an important role as a neighbourhood meeting place.

Theme

Transparency – insight, prospect and overview – is the central theme of the design. From the elevated central hall you can survey the whole building at a single glance. Large glazed frontages offer a view of the semi-sunken competition pool and multi-purpose pool and the sports hall and fitness/aerobics space above. Swimming lengths in the competition pool you have a fantastic view over the Singel canal, just above the water level. The corridor of the sports hall offers a view not only of the activities in the central hall, but also of the lively Marnixstraat and Westerstraat.