Oberstdorf Thermal Spa

The new Oberstdorf Thermal Baths in the Allgäu region have created a wellness and health centre that combines alpine architecture, sustainable construction, and high-quality materials. Designed by Auer Weber Architects, the new building blends sensitively into the mountain landscape with its clearly structured forms, pitched roofs, and a vertically structured timber façade. Inside, ceramic tiles and bathroom ceramics ensure functional quality, design clarity, and long-term reliability in the demanding environment of a swimming pool facility.

The new thermal spa replaces the former baths on the site and develops a spatial concept that combines wellness, sport, and relaxation in different areas. Approximately 9,400 m² of gross floor area provide the setting for the thermal spa, sauna, and wellness facilities, as well as catering. Generous glazed areas open up the bathing hall to the landscape and offer impressive views of the Allgäu Alps. Architecturally, the new building is conceived as an ensemble of several staggered structures, with sloping roofs and minimalist design language that draws on regional building traditions and translates them into contemporary architecture. The building volumes vary in height and length, thereby responding to the surrounding development and the topography of the site. The generously glazed swimming hall forms the spatial centre of the complex. Here, wood, concrete, and glass combine to create a calm, clearly structured interior design that deliberately directs the gaze towards the landscape and water.

The landscape characteristics of the Allgäu region are translated into a spatial concept that runs through the entire building. The idea of the four elements serves as a leitmotif, reflected in the distinct material and color schemes of the various functional areas. The grey of the surrounding mountain landscape sets the tone. With the ceramic surface in anthracite this motif is carried through from the exterior into the interior. Floor surfaces, wall cladding, and seating blocks thus form a consistent, tranquil base that evokes the mineral presence of the mountains and creates the architectural framework for the various bathing areas. The pools reflect the color palette of the Allgäu mountain lakes.

The fit-out is complemented by ceramic pool mouldings and overflow channels from the Wiesbaden system, which meet functional requirements such as hygiene, drainage, and safety during ongoing swimming pool operations. The children’s pool also reflects the color palette of the water: round mosaics in sea green and aqua blue create a fresh, lively, yet harmonious color scheme. In the relaxation areas, this palette is complemented by lighter, mineral-inspired shades.  In addition to its architectural quality, the project also pursues a sustainable energy concept. A roof-integrated photovoltaic system, along with energy-efficient building services and heat recovery systems, reduces the facility’s energy requirements and supports resource-efficient operation. The ceramic materials also contribute to sustainability here. In addition to their durability, their Hytect surface facilitates cleaning and ensures a permanently hygienic environment.

The new Therme Oberstdorf thus not only creates a tourist attraction for the region, but also serves as an example of how architecture, landscape, and materials can be brought together to form a harmonious overall concept.