Paracelsus Bad & Kurhaus
The Context
The Paracelsus Bad & Kurhaus in Salzburg represents a visionary public building in the historic city center. Designed as a dialogue with its surroundings, the project engages with Salzburg’s landmarks — the Mirabell Gardens, the baroque old town, and the surrounding mountains. Positioned between Auerspergstraße and Schwarzstraße, it connects 19th-century block structures with the openness of the spa gardens.
The geometry of the new building swivels toward the park, referencing the orientation of the former baroque bastion walls. In doing so, the project not only creates a strong urban joint but also frames views of the city’s most iconic heritage and natural landscape. The project was developed in collaboration with Berger+Parkkinen.
The Concept
The architecture is conceived as a three-dimensional landscape structured in vertical layers. The plinth contains the spa house and wardrobes, the third floor hosts the swimming pool level, and the roof level is dedicated to sauna and relaxation facilities.
Transparency and layering define the design: the swimming level is fully glazed, opening toward the gardens and mountains, while ceramic louvers encircle the building, ensuring privacy from the outside. The swimming floor acts as an extension of the Kurgarten, bringing nature and the city into direct dialogue with the indoor pools.
The Project
Swimming and the City
A central linear staircase leads visitors from the entrance up to the glazed swimming hall, illuminated by a large skylight. The swimming level offers four distinct pools — sports, diving, children’s, and relaxation — all surrounded by panoramic views. Ceramic surfaces, water reflections, and a gently undulating ceiling enrich the atmosphere, creating a unique urban waterscape.
The Sauna Above the City
On the roof level, the sauna and wellness facilities offer an extraordinary experience, described as being “naked above the city.” Three saunas face Salzburg with panoramic views, while the largest combines sauna and lounge with a focus on the Pfarrkirche Mülln. A relaxation area overlooks the hills to the north and Maria Plain, while the outdoor pool offers the sensation of floating above the city’s rooftops.
Sustainability and Certification
From the start, the project was guided by sustainability goals. A comprehensive environmental analysis — the first of its kind for an indoor pool in Austria — led to the building achieving klimaaktiv GOLD certification. This standard guarantees energy efficiency, ecological quality, user comfort, and high assurance in construction. Recognized as part of Salzburg’s Smart City strategy, the Paracelsus Bad & Kurhaus is not only a place for recreation but also a pioneer of climate protection and renewable energy use.
