Tradition meets modern resilience: 90-year-old bathing facilities in Aarhus recreated amidst raw nature

Thus, a piece of Danish history has been preserved, and an Aarhus treasure fully restored. NIRAS worked closely with colleagues from P+P Architects and MT Højgaard on the project, which has now been nominated for the 2025 Renovation Award (Renoverprisen).

Sets the standard for preserving historical landmarks

The preservation of Den Permanente closely aligns with the original 1933 design and was undertaken with the utmost respect for the site's historical architecture. However, some modern improvements were made to structural solutions, which meant that not all materials matched the original build:

“We chose to cast sheet pile walls along the edge of the facility and clad them with wood. The structure is designed as a robust harbour construction along the coast, using steel piles and concrete. This ensures durability against natural forces – saltwater, large waves, and strong winds. The superstructure has been reinforced to comply with current regulations,” says Senior Project Director Niels Bunk Jespersen, who is also a keen winter bather and a member of the Viking Club Jomsborg, which manages the site.

With these initiatives, the construction mirrors the original look while being reinforced for greater durability and resilience.

“It looks completely like the original, from the measurements to the paint colour on the façades – I think it's a renovation to be emulated,” adds Niels Bunk Jespersen.

In the middle of raw nature

“It’s not easy, and it requires numerous special approvals to build directly into the water, as was necessary for the expansion of Den Permanente. That’s why it was a complex yet exciting project to work on,” says Jespersen.

Beyond the obvious construction challenges of building directly in water, nature’s unpredictable temperament required the team to remain adaptable.

“There were continuous changes to the plans during the project. For example, in December 2023, we were hit by a severe storm, similar to the early days of the bathing facility, which smashed windows and doors,” Jespersen explains.

After the storm, many building materials were water-damaged, and a subsequent storm surge caused extreme water level rises in the area, pausing all work for a period. This led to the installation of additional safety measures at the construction site, including permanent shutters to protect windows during severe weather. Additionally, work is underway to establish a stone reef in front of the facility to reduce wave intensity.

A project with significant public value

The expansion has added two wings to the south and north sides of the facility, a natural extension of the renovation project. This was driven by growing interest in winter bathing, which had led to long waiting lists for new members of the Viking Club Jomsborg. With the expansion, the club can welcome more members and offer another sea bath, new toilet facilities, showers, two new saunas, and a clubhouse.

The northern wing is open to the public year-round, offering Aarhus residents opportunities for various water activities, such as polo, diving, diving platforms, and swimming lanes. In the summer, the area between the southern and northern wings is open to everyone and forms the backdrop for one of Aarhus's most popular beaches.