white arkitekter helps universal well-being with bølgen bath & leisure center in norway

designed by white arkitekter, the bølgen bath & leisure center is a swimming and fitness complex in norway’s frogn municipality. described as an ‘investment in the health and well-being’ of the region’s residents, the sports and aquatic center is open to all and serves as an important hub that links professional, amateur, and leisure sporting activity in the district.

all images by annette larsen

built on a forest slope overlooking the fjord, the bølgen bath & leisure center is situated in close proximity to drøbak’s town center, as well as local schools. white arkitekter explains that this offers the opportunity to share functions and activity programs with other nearby sports complexes. instead of a conventional static volume, the center is divided into different levels which can be given different lighting and acoustic conditions to separate each element if needed.

the center contains a main swimming pool with 1.3 to 5 meter diving boards, alongside pools for training, therapy, and children’s activities. also included in the building is a spa, changing rooms, cafeteria, kitchen, shop, and a technical basement. in addition to this, a commercial hire fitness center and office space occupies the levels above the pool, providing extra revenue for the municipality. see other projects by white arkitekter on designboom here, and read our recently published interview with the firm’s CEO alexandra hagen.

project info:

name: bølgen bath & leisure center
location: drøbak, norway
architect: white arkitekter
lead architect: thomas landenberg
client: frogn municipality
status: completed 2019
environmental certification: breeam very good
photography: annette larsen