We envisioned a building where the architecture gives hints of its functionality, the waveform in the façade as well as large panoramic windows blur the boundary between pools inside and lake outside
– Kim Herforth Nielsen, founder and principal 3XN Architects

Danish architectural practice 3XN have won the competition to design a new, largely wooden, aquatic centre in the Swedish city of Linkoping, which is designed to “become a hybrid between the city and the lake.”

Named Vågen, meaning ‘The Wave’ in English, the 24,000sq m (2,200sq ft) facility will be located between Linkoping and Tinnerbäck Lake.

The architecture is inspired by the vision of waves washing ashore, with the building curving “as if shaped by the force of the ocean and eroded over time."

The massing of the structure follows the natural flow of the landscape, gradually stepping down as it approaches the lake.

“We envisioned a building where the architecture gives hints of its functionality, the waveform in the façade as well as large panoramic windows blur the boundary between pools inside and lake outside,” said Kim Herforth Nielsen, founder and principal 3XN Architects.

“We’ve used a lot of wood, because as a building material it is recyclable, highly durable and provides an aesthetic quality and warm feeling to the building.”

Vågen will feature an outdoor plaza with restaurants in front of the main building. Visitors will be led into a double-height lobby space, overseeing the four different pool areas.

The design was selected over proposals from Zaha Hadid Architects, Erséus Arkitekter, Henning Larsen Architects and Liljewall Arkitekter, with the jury praising 3XN for “capturing the scale” of Linkoping with their vision.

Construction will begin in September 2017 and is expected to be completed in 2021. The total budget for the project is €80m (US$84.7m, £68m).

Landscape architects SLA, aquatics consultant the Danish Technological Institute and construction firms WSP Sverige AB and Thornton Tomasetti are collaborating on the project.

3XN have previously designed Denmark's national aquarium, The Blue Planet, and the Danish Royal Arena in Denmark, which was opened in January. They are currently working on a sweeping cultural complex in Wallonia, Belgium and the new Olympic Headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

3XN Architects win international competition to design flowing Belgian cultural complex

3XN reveals designs for new Olympic headquarters

134m euro indoor sports and music arena for Copenhagen

3XN Architects-led team secures Copenhagen Arena design contract

FEATURE: Architect Focus – Kim Herforth Nielsen