Forest Pool
Did you spend nearly every summer day at the pool? For many, pools are the backdrop of summer—a place to pass time with family, find relief from the heat, or train with friends. For the residents of Liberec, Czech Republic, the “Forest Pool” (Lesní koupaliště) holds this kind of collective memory.
Once forced to close through neglect, the pool later lost its building to a fire, leaving only a broken concrete slab, as if it were a forgotten corner of the city. Its renewal began when a group of architects and citizens stepped in. With no real budget, Mjölk architekti joined volunteers to repair the small refreshment stand, painting it white and placing a simple “beer–soda” sign with a heart on the roof. That gesture marked the first step in bringing the Forest Pool back to life.
Backed by participatory budgeting, private donations, and a one-time contribution from the municipality, the project reached completion in spring 2025. Built at minimal cost, the new facility follows the two height levels of the original concrete slab. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) combined with lightweight timber framing houses storage, restrooms, a sauna with a lounge area, and a bistro. Above, a steel roof was designed to serve as both umbrella and parasol. A white façade unfolds along the edge of the woods, while showers and changing rooms meet everyday needs.
This snow-white building along the forest boundary is simple and highly functional. It responds to its natural setting and stands as a symbol of public space renewed. Made possible by Mjölk architekti together with local citizens, the Forest Pool is not a landmark in the conventional sense; it embodies the sweat and enthusiasm of those who rebuilt it. Today, it is again a favorite summer gathering place in the city and a story of residents choosing to safeguard their own.
Principal Designer(s) | Marie Vondráková (Mjölk architekti)
Collaborating Designers | Mjölk Team, Jiří Janďourek (City of Liberec), Jiří Bliml (Městské lesy Liberec)
Character of Space | Public Pool Facility (Changing Rooms, Showers, Sauna, Bistro)
Materials | CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber), Lightweight Timber Frame, Steel Structure, Glass
Location | Liberec, Czech Republic
Gross Floor Area | 320 m²
Completion Year | 2025
