The pictures say it all. The
Adelboden panorama pool, with
the Swiss Alps forming its dramatic
backdrop, may be the most exquisite
mountain pool in the world. Recently,
the structure was classified for
preservation and renovated using
a special coating called Keim paint,
allowing it to, once again, shine with
its original colors and convey the spirit
of optimism that infused the era of its
construction.
Following World War I, health resorts
boomed. Places, such as Adelboden,
strove to renew interest in their tourist
attractions so they could regain the
guests lost to the war years. This led to
a tourist construction boom in the mid
1920s, and one of the biggest attractions
was outdoor swimming pools.
The modern art movement found
its feet in those same years. It was
an international phenomenon that
was both broad and diverse, and was
expressed in paintings, design and, as in the case of the Adelboden resort,
architecture. Swiss swimming pool
expert Beda Hefti combined this new
architectural style with his aquatic
engineering knowledge in the creation
of this delightful, colorful swimming
pool.
A key element of the design was the
use of vibrant colors in the paint, which
gives the resort a Mediterranean holiday
atmosphere. The open-air swimming
pool, the changing rooms, children’s
pool, restaurant area, restrooms and
kiosks were all skilfully integrated into
the topography.
For 20 years after its completion, the
swimming pool remained unchanged;
however, in the 1950s, a series of
renovations began. The sandy beach
was removed due to algae, and in the
1960s, the concrete diving tower was
replaced with steel due to corrosion.
In the 1970s, the music pavilion was
destroyed due to a roof that had
collapsed, and in the 1980s, the circular
children’s pool was replaced by an
irregularly shaped basin.
The last renovation of the pool was
completed in 2004. At this time, the
50-meter pool was reduced to 25 meters
in length so that a temporary sun deck
could be mounted with ceiling supports.
The sundeck made the diving tower
unusable, so that was also removed. All
the surfaces were painted in the original,
vibrant colors of the facility.
Repaired, rebuilt and revitalized,
the Adelboden glistens in the Alpine
sun, and is an expression of the 1930s
themes of leisure, movement, pleasure
and enjoyment. The renovation has
succeeded in reviving the original
spirit, the clear architectural attitude
and the atmosphere of a modern
outdoor pool.
This article first appeared in the June 2024 issue of AQUA Magazine — the top resource for retailers, builders and service pros in the pool and spa industry. Subscriptions to the print magazine are free to all industry professionals. Click here to subscribe.
