Rivers can be powerful symbolic lines that reinforce social exclusion. In Timișoara, the Bega Canal is at a tipping point, threatening to harden into an invisible social border that divides the city as inequality and gentrification grow. This project confronts that reality by reimagining the canal not as a border that separates, but as a unifying element that brings people together.

This project tackles the symbolic divide by transforming a closed, controversial building into a public, natural swimming pool. While reviving the local tradition of riverside bathing, the design intentionally rejects the exclusionary legacy of the past. Its goal is to create a neutral and welcoming space that uses the canal as a mediator, bringing people together regardless of social status. Ultimately, the project stands as a modest example of how public space can bridge a divided society.