Birta Fönn K. Sveinsdóttir

In today’s fast-paced, urbanized society, where loneliness is increasingly common, facilities like swimming pools play a vital role in fostering well-being. In Iceland, pools have historically served as key gathering spaces, reinforcing social bonds and community life. Today, they provide essential opportunities for maintain- ing and cultivating good health. The overcrowding of the main pool in Akureyri, “Akureyrarlaug,” and proposals to restrict public access to the smaller pool, “Glerárlaug,” have left many residents without easy access to these benefits. This thesis employs mixed methods, including a survey to gather broad perspectives from swimming pool users and residents and interviews to explore individual experiences and personal reflections to provide subjective insights. his thesis employs a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, interviews, and personal reflection, to explore pool users’ experiences. It also explores the design of architecture centered on relational thinking and sensorial experience, emphasizing the significance of public spaces in fostering well-being and social connection. It focuses on revitalizing Glerárlaug by expanding and adapting it to serve its users better. It promotes inclusivity through improved spatial circulation, materiality, and sensory elements to create a more engaging and accessible environment.