Stainz outdoor pool

commercial construction, Stainz

After originally being closed in 2022, the outdoor pool in Stainz underwent a renovation thanks to public participation. The work around the sustainable outdoor pool building had to be completed by spring 2025 in order to be able to open the summer swimming season for the people of Stainz on time.

Project information

Use: Commercial development
Location: Stainz, Styria
Completion: Spring 2025
Installed volume: 162m³ CLT and 179m³ glulam

Project partners

Wood construction: Schranger Holzbaumeister GmbH

The outdoor pool
as meeting place
of the community

The Stainz outdoor pool has been an integral part of social life in the market town of Stainz for many years. However, due to insurmountable problems and inadequate pool hygiene, the outdoor pool was officially closed in 2022. The people of Stainz campaigned intensively for the preservation of the swimming pool and an architectural competition was launched with public participation. Actual construction could begin in November 2024.

Flexible use
at any time
of the year

The aim of the project was to ensure that at least parts of the building could also be used outside of the outdoor swimming season. Through the targeted use of swing and sliding gates around the building passages, it was possible to create a flexible room layout and usability of the outdoor spaces, which offers added value in terms of urban development. The new building has restored a social meeting point for the community.

Sustainability as a goal

Another goal of the new building was sustainability – a demand which the raw material wood never fails to satisfy in any respect. This aspect is particularly important in times of climate change and the climate crisis. Wooden buildings act as their own natural carbon reservoirs by binding CO₂. This is a clear ecological advantage over other emission-intensive materials such as concrete or steel. In addition to the use of materials, attention was paid to energy-efficient construction methods in order to make the ongoing operation of the outdoor pool as environmentally friendly as possible.

Strict time factor

The construction work on the swimming pool took place within a tight time frame: The construction had to be completed between November 2024 and April 2025 so that the swimming pool could be inaugurated on time for the start of the outdoor swimming season. THEURL supplied a total of 179 m³ of glulam and 162 m³ of cross-laminated timber for the innovative construction. A honeycomb construction made of glulam serves as the main supporting structure and ensures efficient load distribution and increased load-bearing capacity. CLTPLUS from THEURL was used for the ceiling. As a robust yet lightweight material, cross-laminated timber is ideal for short construction times. Thanks to close cooperation and coordination between planning, execution and material delivery, the tight schedule could be adhered to. The result was a sustainable, aesthetically pleasing building in a short space of time.

Success through co-operation

Projects of this size can only be realised with good and precise teamwork. The construction of the Stainz outdoor pool relied on close collaboration between the timber industry and professional craftsmen. Together with Schranger Holzbaumeister GmbH, it was possible to create a functional, modern and ecological timber construction that shows what is possible today with wood as a raw material.