Visual conditions in contemporary swimming pool halls in Vienna

The use of light as a design tool in architecture significantly influences how spaces are perceived and experienced. Lighting conditions impact emotions and the feeling of comfort in architectural environments. In the context of indoor swimming pool halls, lighting design is also crucial due to safety considerations. Challenges such as controlling daylight, positioning luminaires, and mitigating glare from reflective (water) surfaces must be addressed.

The study focuses on Vienna’s indoor swimming pool facilities, assessing both artificial and natural lighting, and comparing measured data with simulation model results. The research aims to establish precise simulation models for future energy-efficient lighting retrofit. Austria, specifically Vienna, played a unique role in the development of modern European swimming pool buildings. The “district indoor pool programme” saw the construction of six almost identical pool facilities in the suburbs of the city during the 1970s and 80s in less than a decade. This was unprecedented in Europe. The thesis selects two representatives of those buildings for an in-depth analysis of visual building performance using in-situ measurements and lighting simulation software. Findings reveal areas where lighting falls short of modern standards and opportunities for improvement, both in natural and artificial lighting scenarios. The calibration of simulation models using collected data demonstrates a strong correlation between measurements and simulations.

By analysing the present situation, the study proposes optimisation scenarios to enhance visual performance. Overall, the research underscores the significance of lighting design in architectural spaces like indoor swimming pools and highlights the potential for enhancement through accurate measurement, simulation calibration, and design modifications. The findings are relevant not only to the examined district baths but also have implications for other similar facilities in Vienna.