Something that we take for granted in many places was still a rarity at the beginning of the 19th century: your own bathroom. Population growth and endeavours to improve urban hygiene led to the establishment of public baths, where burghers and workers, men and women could use this public hygiene facility at different allocated times. While the first buildings were simple functional structures, a representative architectural style developed at the height of the Art Nouveau movement, which influenced the subsequent period. This was also when the Münster Therme (formerly known as the Münsterbad) was built – between 1900 and 1902, according to plans drawn up by architect Richard Genschmer. In addition to the central swimming pool, the bathhouse also offered bathtubs and showers, as well as medicinal and steam baths.
The two-storey building is set back from the road and is accessed via a staircase and a spacious entrance hall. The atmosphere is characterised by the basilical swimming hall, which houses the pool. The changing rooms that run the length of the pool are split over two levels with an adjacent gallery. The original wooden cubicles have been supplemented with contemporary materials, but the colours and details have been redesigned in line with the preservation order. Side window elements let daylight into the interior and create a bright, pleasant ambience. The rooms for massages, wellness and medical treatments are located in a part of the building that runs parallel to the swimming hall. An outdoor saltwater pool provides the finishing touch to the range of facilities.
The requirements of the preservation order in relation to the integration of modern bathing technology were taken into account during the 2003 conversion. The shower areas were then modernised in 2019. Bädergesellschaft Düsseldorf opted for CONGENIAL shower panels from CONTI+. These have a thermostatic mixer and are painted with a special colour mixture, creating a beautiful connection between old and new.
Project data:
Owner/operator:
Bädergesellschaft Düsseldorf mbH
Architect/design engineer:
Richard Genschmer/City of Düsseldorf, Building Construction Office (originator 1902)
Deyle Management GmbH (2003)
Conversion/completion:
General renovation 2003; conversion 2019
Products used:
CONTI+ CONGENIAL shower panel with an acrylic composite cover including niche; electronic (piezo pushbutton) with thermal disinfection for refurbishment of the existing fittings, integrated into the CNX water management system from CONTI+.
Colour coating NCS S 2020G30y (green) in keeping with the requirements of the preservation order.