Architect
Väinö Vähäkallio Antti Ilveskoski Architects
Completion
1928
Renovation
1999
Gross area
3800 m²
Category
Other
Tags
interior Nordic Classicism renovation restoration sports swimming hall

Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall is Finland’s oldest public swimming hall. The building was designed by Väinö Vähäkallio, whose previous works include the OTK Headquarters and the Elanto Headquarters in Hämeentie.

One of its distinctive features is that it was built inside a city block in the heart of Helsinki, making it invisible from the street. The four-storey swimming hall represents Nordic Classicism and has preserved well its original style and details, such as colourful tiling and furniture. It was inspired by the Centralbadet swimming hall in Stockholm.

The first floor contains a 25 x 10-metre pool surrounded by arcades, two saunas and dressing closets at the edges of the pool. The mezzanine-like second floor contains curtained cubicles for resting, wood-heated saunas and a café. A private sauna is located on the third floor. An additional sauna upon reservation with a private pool is located on the fourth floor.

Traditionally, people swam naked in the pool, but since 2001, the bathers have the choice of whether to wear a swimsuit or not. Men and women have separate days for swimming.

The latest major refurbishment was in the turn of the Millennium. Many of the original details were restored, and even original furniture was remade. The third floor that had been used as offices were returned to the use of the swimming hall. The renovation was designed by Antti Ilveskoski Architects.

Location

Yrjönkatu 21 B, Helsinki
60.1682706, 24.9390414

Images

Main entrance, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall
Main entrance, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall (© Jan Alanco / HKM)
Large pool, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall
Large pool, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
First floor with remade original furniture, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall
First floor with remade original furniture, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall (© Mikko Junninen / MFA)
First floor with remade original furniture, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall
First floor with remade original furniture, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Small pool, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall
Small pool, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Washroom adjoining the small pool, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall
Washroom adjoining the small pool, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Third floor private sauna, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall
Third floor private sauna, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Large pool in 1929, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall
Large pool in 1929, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall (© Olof Sundström / HKM)
Washroom interior in 1929, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall
Washroom interior in 1929, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall (© Olof Sundström / HKM)
Section plan, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall
Section plan, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall (© Antti Ilveskoski Architects)
Ground floor and first floor, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall
Ground floor and first floor, Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall (© Antti Ilveskoski Architects)

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