A Swimming Hall Like a Luxury Spa – Experiences in Ähtäri

A Bright, Serene, and Subtle Solution. The design is a bright, serene, and understated composition that stands out with its uniqueness and distinctiveness. Inspiration was drawn from the original Hotel Mesikämmen, built in 1976 and designed by architect brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen, renowned for their work on the Temppeliaukio Church, carved into rock.

One of the unique features of the hotel is the way it immerses visitors in nature. Along the main corridor, the bedrock and concrete structures are left exposed, creating a striking visual experience.

“Hotel Mesikämmen features stunning rock corridors and concrete structures. The building blends beautifully into the landscape, descending gently toward the shore of Lake Hankavesi. We wanted to honor the hotel’s architecture and incorporate its essence into our design through architectural elements and surface materials,” says Koskela.

Starting in May 2024, visitors in Ähtäri will enjoy the new spa swimming hall. Its distinctive character is defined by exposed concrete surfaces, the surrounding nature, a tranquil and atmospheric color palette, and the natural light streaming through large windows.

For Koskela, it’s important that the materials engage in a dialogue with the surrounding nature. Maintaining a tranquil spa ambiance meant opting for a subdued color palette in the choice of surface materials.

“The large water surfaces of the pools naturally reflect shades of blue and turquoise, so adding extra colors or tones to the pool areas felt unnecessary. However, since this is a municipal swimming hall, it is subject to specific construction and accessibility regulations. This required us to use contrasts, but even there, we found a more subtle solution,” explains Koskela.

The required accent colors, lane markings, and step edge strips were implemented using a single reddish-brown accent tone, which is also echoed in the locker rooms. Additionally, swimming pools don't always have to be bright white—the main pool features light gray tiles that harmonize with the stone-textured ABL Grainstone tiles used on large surfaces and the concrete walls in the space.

“I’m very pleased with the tile choice, which is ABL Grainstone. We wanted a serene result, and this series supported that goal, offering various sizes in the same design as well as B- and C-rated slip-resistant surfaces suitable for barefoot areas,” Koskela adds.

The design of Ähtäri’s swimming hall emphasized the use of large tile formats. The Grainstone series offers a range of sizes, from 60x120 cm tiles to various mosaic options. This versatility allows for seamless transitions between flat, continuous surfaces and sloped areas requiring smaller tiles.

“It was great to maintain a consistent tile surface throughout, with only the tile sizes varying across different functional areas,” Koskela remarks.

Dark and Tranquil

The Grainstone tiles are extensively utilized in the therapy pool area, where the dark tiles create a strong spa-like ambiance. The changing rooms and shower areas also feature a darker, more tranquil atmosphere.

“This design fosters a sense of safety and calm for all visitors to the swimming hall,” Koskela reflects.

For Koskela, creating timeless solutions is a priority. In swimming halls and spas, ceramic surfaces must endure decades of heavy use in wet areas, making durability a key consideration in material selection.