At the confluence of two streams, near Lidové sady—Liberec’s stately villa district—lies a place with a deep bathing tradition. The water there is as cold as ice. Every local knows this beauty hidden beneath century-old spruces as Lesní koupaliště—the Forest Pool. A few years ago, Mjölk architekti decided to lease it from the city and build a brand-new facilities building nearby. Now, standing on the edge of the pool, looking at the snow-white building that lines the forest’s edge like lace, waiting for its first visitors, the thought is clear—it was all worth it.
Construction
Mjölk Architekti: At the confluence of two streams, near Lidové sady—Liberec’s stately villa district—lies a place with a deep bathing tradition. The water there is as cold as ice. Every local knows this beauty hidden beneath century-old spruces as Lesní koupaliště—the Forest Pool. A few years ago, we decided to lease it from the city and build a brand-new facilities building nearby. Now, I’m standing on the edge of the pool, looking at the snow-white building that lines the forest’s edge like lace, waiting for its first visitors, and thinking—it was all worth it.
When we took over the management of the Forest Pool, we immediately began figuring out what to do and how. We started with zero funding, so the only way to make improvements was through volunteer work. So we grabbed drills, saws—and got to it. Using construction boards and slats, we cobbled together makeshift furniture for the refreshment stand, which received a light facelift. It got a white paint job, new equipment, and a sign reading “beer–soda” with a large heart on the roof, which became a symbol of the area’s transformation. We began working on a design study and sourcing funding. A large part of the budget came from the city’s participatory budgeting, but significant support also came from private donors. Then came the building permit, granted in May 2022. The first funds went to repairing the foundations and the wastewater treatment system. A year later, work began on the main structure—though by then, funds were running low. We did as much as we could with our own hands or with donations from private supporters. Eventually, we negotiated a one-time financial contribution from the city to help finish the building and open full facilities in spring 2025. It worked—this new building will now serve the public, which has few places to swim in Liberec.
Architecture
The new building is not a showcase for lavish public spending. With minimal cost, we managed to build a public facility that would’ve been almost impossible without civic initiative. Our contribution wasn’t just physical labor but also all the project and organizational work such a building entails. The resulting design focused on ease of construction, phaseability, and financial accessibility. The timber structure, following the two height levels of the original concrete slab, provides the core functional spaces of the building. The combined system of CLT panels and lightweight timber framing incorporates storage, toilets, a sauna with a lounge, and a bistro. The steel roof structure serves as both an umbrella and parasol—sheltering the building and visitors from bad weather. Under the roof are showers, changing rooms, and lockers.
History
The first records of the Forest Pool date back to before World War II and are connected to the “Waldbad in Ruppersdorf” association. In 1934, the association applied for approval to establish a bathing area. According to available sources, construction was carried out by the firm Preibisch & Reinelt together with gardener Josef Peschel from Ruprechtice, between 1937 and 1940. The swimming pool was under construction during the war, used by military units for training, but also remained a place of public recreation. After the war, completion resumed: the access road was improved, a parking lot built, and changing rooms and a restaurant added. Back then, the facilities stood on the opposite side from where they are now, adjacent to the road. The now-gone building, remembered by many and destroyed by fire in 2010, was added twenty years later. Interestingly, there was once a water heating tank and a children's wading pool above the site. The area was closed in 2007, and after the fire, only the original concrete slab remained. It continued to decay until 2016, when revitalization began with pool reconstruction and landscape improvements. The pool reopened to the public in 2018. Unfortunately, the first two years were extremely dry, affecting the water's quality and volume. Alongside the reopening, a small refreshment stand and chemical toilets were added. In spring 2020, the association Lesní koupaliště, founded by Mjölk architekti, took over, marking a new chapter. We’ve now opened a new building, providing essential facilities and a sauna for colder months. Plans include a children's water feature, stepped seating, new sports facilities, and much more. The work isn’t done—there’s still plenty to look forward to.
Additional information
Stories from the Pool
01 The High Water
Dark clouds rolled in from the Lusatian Mountains. The evening air was full of forest scents, but something foretold a heavy storm. Pavel knew it. His knees always predicted what was coming—like a crystal ball, they told him it was time to go. That’s how it always went. Pavel changed out of his pajamas, threw on work clothes, and jumped on his bike. His semi-racing carbon frame cut through the thick air beneath the quarry. He rolled over roots and rocks like a snack-stand volunteer sliding a hot dog into a bun. A sharp turn at the settling tank above Lesák, a small technical hop over its spillway, and he was already turning the valve to divert the water into steel pipes. The pool has a clever bypass system to protect it from flash floods. The reservoir has two inlets, and before any storm, they must be diverted. The water then flows from the intake grates through an underground channel all the way under the dam. A few more turns, and all is closed—the water rushes beneath the dam, and it’s safe to sleep.
Late evening had long said goodbye to the sun. The surface calmed, and lightning flickered above the Ještěd Ridge like a strobe light at the 70´s disco. The tension in the air hinted something stronger was on its way.
Morning brought news of a flood at the Forest Pool. A nighttime downpour turned the Jizerský stream into the Amazon, sweeping away everything in its path. A flood of branches, mud, and stones clogged the intake grates, causing water to overflow the banks and dam. When we arrived, the scene was grim. Sunlight shone on a brown wasteland full of debris. Only the tips of stainless steel ladders pierced the murky water, hinting at the pool below. We got to work immediately. Around twenty people showed up, broom in hand, sacrificing their day off to clean up. By evening, the pool was clean again and we began refilling it. By morning, the stream had filled the basin with crystal-clear, icy water. Pavel watched the happy swimmers with satisfaction—everything turned out well.
We’re so grateful for your help—whether you’re Pavel getting up at night to shut off the water, mowing the grass, fixing benches, or sending money for repairs, it reminds us we’re not alone. There’s still a lot to do, but we can see the goal. Thank you!
02 Volunteer Day
From time to time, we organize work parties at the pool. The sound of saws and drills slices through the silence of the Jizerský stream valley, only interrupted by the hiss of another beer being opened. These workdays have a special charm. Besides getting a lot done, they’re also a chance to connect—with people, but more importantly, with the place itself. It builds a bond with a setting where you leave a piece of yourself.
Visitors sometimes complain that nobody’s keeping things tidy or that a trash can is overflowing. We do our best, but our resources are limited. Often, you can help too—pick up that ice cream wrapper on the ground, or speak up when someone behaves inappropriately or breaks the rules. You don’t need a lifeguard or the police for that—that’s just normal behavior. And that, too, is something you can learn at Lesní koupaliště, alongside how to use a saw or a drill.
03 The Jump
Every year, the swimming season at Lesák opens with a mass jump into the water. Pale bodies of hardy swimmers, not yet kissed by the spring sun, tumble into the granite basin amid laughter and shrieks. But this act isn’t just symbolic of the season's start. The mayor of Liberec blows the whistle that kicks off this collective madness. We founded this tradition not just as a celebration of spring and swimming, but as a guarantee that the city will take care of Lesní koupaliště. Stewardship of public space should be a basic duty of every functioning city administration. So whoever wins the next election—the mayor will be opening the season at Lesák each spring. Their presence gives the event weight and sends a strong message: the city cares about the Forest Pool. Ahoy!
About studio / author
We are Mjölk. Our aim is to explore contexts, uncover the qualities of places, fulfill our clients' deepest yearnings, having fun while doing it. We want this joy of freedom and creativity to be tangible in our projects, as well as in the lives of our customers.
