Kinzo Proposes 100-Meter Swimming Lane Through Berlin's Heart
A year-round outdoor pool project to revitalize Potsdamer Platz's adjacent park.
1Breathing Life into Potsdamer Platz
Kinzo Architekten proposes a 100-meter outdoor swimming pool for Tilla-Durieux-Park near Berlin's iconic Potsdamer Platz. The project aims to activate underutilized green space between dense office districts. The 15x100m pool would run like an urban canal through the park's center, creating a striking visual element.
2All-Season Design Solution
The pool features innovative design for Berlin's harsh winters. A translucent membrane canopy will cover the water during colder months, allowing swimming with snowy views. This transforms the space into a year-round attraction while enhancing the project's sustainability credentials.
3Social Interaction at Core
Beyond swimming, the proposal includes padel and basketball courts, a water playground, communal tables, and tree groves. Kinzo co-founder Karim El-Ishmawi envisions the park becoming Potsdamer Platz's 'living room.' The design shifts the area from transit space to destination through diverse activities.
4Strengthening Urban Connections
The project connects to Berlin's larger green infrastructure network. A future pedestrian bridge would link to Landwehr Canal and Park am Gleisdreieck, completing a north-south recreation corridor. The pool and sports facilities can proceed independently from this long-term infrastructure piece.
5Architectural Language
The pool's unusual length derives naturally from the park's narrow geometry. Rather than disguising spatial constraints, Kinzo makes them central to the design. Tiered timber seating and changing rooms create dynamic waterfront landscapes that embrace the site's unique proportions.
6Bold Urban Transformation
Kinzo's proposal demonstrates how ambitious public interventions can redefine a neighborhood's identity. The 100-meter pool could become Potsdamer Platz's new landmark, while smaller-scale activities transform the space into a vibrant destination. This showcases urban design's power to elevate quality of life through bold yet thoughtful placemaking.