A former coach house located in the Września barracks complex has undergone a significant transformation, becoming a modern indoor swimming pool. This example perfectly illustrates how historic buildings can be adapted to modern needs, serving the local community. The building, entered in the register of immovable monuments of the Wielkopolskie Voivodeship, is owned by the city of Września.
The renovation of the coach house, carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the Wielkopolska Voivodeship Conservator of Monuments, was completed and positively received by the staff of the Voivodeship Office for the Protection of Monuments in Poznań in May this year. The process included both construction and conservation work to preserve the historic value of the building.
The former coach house today. Photo: Wielkopolska Voivodeship Historic Preservation Office
Unfortunately, the renovation did not go without problems. In July 2022, a fire broke out in the building, severely damaging the roof structure and the covering over the pool hall. The fire destroyed almost all of the wooden sheathing and the steel elements were distorted. In addition, the pool hall and basement were flooded with water during the firefighting operation. As a result of these incidents, the roof had to be completely demolished and rebuilt. As part of the renovation work, the facades of the building were also restored to their original technical and aesthetic condition. In addition, the interior of the building was renovated, retaining some of the elements from the 1990s, and the surroundings on the side of the front elevation were arranged. Inside, there is also an exhibition related to the history of the Września barracks.
The coach house was built in the first decade of the 20th century in the south-western part of the barracks complex in Września. It originally served the 46th Prussian Infantry Regiment. The building was built of brick on an elongated rectangular plan. It has one storey and a gabled roof. The elevations are characterised by a colour contrast between red brick and light plaster, with a series of semi-circular closed gates on the east side and windows on the west side, above which are decorative gables. In the 1990s the derelict building was converted into a swimming pool, giving it a new, utilitarian purpose. Following a recently completed refurbishment, it is now in an even better position to serve the town’s residents.
Source: The Wielkopolska Regional Monuments Conservator
Read also: Achitektura w Polsce | Metamorphosis | Renovation | Monument | Swimming pool
