Water's Edge - A Bathing Site at Holmen

Situated in the historic area of Holmen, Copenhagen, this harbour bath project explores how architecture can enhance the sensory and spatial experience of bathing in the city. Once a restricted naval zone, Holmen is now transforming into an open cultural district. This new bathing facility supports that transformation by inviting the public to engage physically and mentally with the water’s edge.

The design emphasizes the meeting of body and environment — creating spaces that frame the changing light, temperature, and atmosphere of the harbour. Through a sequence of architectural gestures, the bath encourages both contemplation and community. It is constructed primarily from azobé wood, a dense and highly durable hardwood well-suited to marine environments. Its resistance to rot, wear, and saltwater ensures longevity while offering a natural tactility underfoot — even when wet and cold.

Rather than a static object, the harbour bath is conceived as a porous threshold — a place between land and water, solitude and gathering, rest and activity. It offers a ritualistic pause within the city, grounded in the elements and open to everyone who moves through Holmen.