For those in and around Berlin without the option of a winter mountain getaway or tropical escape, the new Havel Therme in Werder offers the perfect short wellness retreat. Located just under an hour from Berlin, this expansive leisure destination delivers an impressive array of bathing, sauna, and wellness experiences. Spanning 16,000 m², the facility sits directly on the Großen Zernsee, approximately 10 kilometers west of Potsdam. The complex first opened in 2021 after a previous investor's failed construction attempt and the dissolution of their contract with the City of Werder. The architectural firm Geising + Böker, based in Hamburg and Vechta, specializes in such projects and designed a completely new master concept implemented from mid-2019 through end of 2020. The facility earns its therme designation by offering guests a generous gentle brine pool and two hot, mineral-rich spring pools ranging from 36 to 40 degrees Celsius. The comprehensive offerings include these principal attractions: thermal pools, diverse saunas in both Moroccan and Finnish styles, steam baths, and a hamam; a spa with massage services; a large Olympic pool; a family pool with three water slides; children's and adventure pools; and an indoor whitewater river beneath a retractable roof. The thermal area alone, set beneath palm trees, encompasses a 300 m² indoor and outdoor pool filled with gentle brine, complete with massage jets, whirlpool loungers, and current channels. The culinary offerings are equally diverse, ranging from casual bistro dining to two full-service restaurants and three pool bars. Outdoor terraces for warmer months and parking for 300 vehicles complete the picture. The facility truly shines in the evening, when illuminated water surfaces and glass walls create a particularly captivating atmosphere. Orchestrating this comprehensive plan while integrating the existing structure represented an extraordinary challenge. The architects guided the project through design phases 1–7 over several years, navigating the particularly demanding Corona years—itself a logistical feat. The City of Werder owns the facility. Schauer & Co. GmbH handled planning and structural completion for approximately 50 million euros, coming in under budget and ahead of schedule. This wellness facility expert now operates the Havel Therme, welcoming approximately 300,000 visitors annually—roughly 800 per day.

www.geising-boeker.de

Photography:

Philipp Neise
www.archiograph.de

(Published in CUBE Berlin 04|23)