Pyynikki swimming hall in Tampere was opened in 1956 and it has been under renovation since 2007. It is one of the oldest swimming halls in Finland. The swimming hall was designed by architect Harry W. Schreck, assisted by architects Olavi Suvitie and Taito Uusitalo. Once a beautiful example of Finnish 50's modernist architecture is now in a really, really shabby condition.

50's charm in its full glory. Oh joy! Absolutely fantastic details and finish (Photos courtesy of Arkkitehtitoimisto Harry W. Schreck).

Current decay of the swimming hall. Oh dear.


Unfortunately the renovation has been apparently been delayed for some time. But there are happy news! While waiting for complete makeover, the hall will be temporarily transformed into a theater venue in spring 2010 by Teatteri Siperia.

Press release photos, courtesy of Yle / Petri Aaltonen.
(Check out Yle's story about the project, too)

The play "Pää edellä" ("Head first", roughly translated) will be premiered on February 12th, 2010. The project includes also other functions, such as art exhibition, discussions and educational events. You may read more about the project from projects website or from Teatteri Siperia's website (in Finnish). Let's hope that activation of the swimming hall space will put some speed also to the renovation plans.

Pää edellä poster (original photo by Jukka Salminen, Tiikerikuva).

Posters, leaflets, ourtdoor advertising and other pr-material were created by Anssi from Werklig. You may check out older Teatteri Siperia stuff at our Work-section, too.