Henning Larsen wins Gothenburg swimming pool competition with structure of wood and recycled bricks

Henning Larsen has won a competition to design Gothenburg’s new Centralbadet, a major public swimming and sports facility that will replace the city’s aging Valhallabadet. 

The project, developed in collaboration with Winell & Jern Architects, Ramboll, and University of Gothenburg lecturer John Dohlsten, was selected by the City of Gothenburg over proposals from BIG and Wingårdh Arkitektkontor.

Planned for completion in 2031, the 500,000 square foot complex will combine elite sports infrastructure with public recreation. Facilities will include an Olympic-standard swimming and diving pools, family and learning pools, four sports halls, a basketball court, and a gym. The building will also house saunas, outdoor pools, a cafe and restaurant, community spaces, and municipal offices for 200 employees.

The scheme adopts a wood design to emphasize sustainability and integration with its surroundings. Landscaped connections will link the center to Burgårdsparken, the Mölndal River, and a future sports arena, while the building’s multi-level roof will host running tracks, outdoor gyms, and green terraces. Meanwhile, recycled brick facades, glulam beams, and wood elements designed for reuse aim to reduce the project’s carbon footprint.