Research/Inspiration

Karlshamn Kallbadhus- White Arkitekter (2015)

Bath Houses are a part of cultural heritage in Sweden where they also have a long tradition of sea bathing. Karlshamn Kallbadhus is situated on the southern coast of Sweden and was built in a way that enhances the surrounding nature and looks out into the bay. It’s not a traditional bath house but it incorporates aspects of traditional buildings and history.

I love the way it’s positioned above the water as if its floating but still connected to the land. I think it fits in nicely with the surrounding landscape, it stands out but it’s simple and not in your face.

Thessaloniki’s Wet Dream – NaNA – Thermal Bath Complex Proposal (2013)

A proposal for an underground public bath as part of a re-design of the Eleftherias Square in Thessaloniki, Greece. The aim is to re-establish the long culture of public baths as the last Turkish bath closed in the city in 1981. The bath house has a series of small pools of varying temperatures, a sports pool, adventure pool, water play park, pools for hydrotherapy treatments. There are rest areas and private areas that lead to saunas, steam bathing and massage therapy spaces.

The pools are exposed to street level through the glass ceiling and at street level in line with the columns there are a series of trees planted which create a natural canopy allowing sunlight in winter but also preventing the space from overheating in summer.

This proposal has similarities to our own brief for the Dadley building. The natural canopy created by the trees has the same idea as our pocket forests and the public location of both sites creates the need to think about privacy and perception. I can imagine that sitting in one of the pools below ground would be like watching the world above in a sort of snow globe environment – from the outside looking in so to speak. I love the dramatic height of the ceiling and the structure/shape of the columns proposed.

Tamina Thermal Baths – Smolenicky & Partner Architecture (2009)

Built to be a part of Switzerlands grand hotel culture and as part of a competition for architectural interventions in the town planning. The aesthetic of the baths are similar to Swiss tradition and full of character. The windows from the inside looking out are like over sized picture frames of the oval style that was popular during the Victorian era. The guests experience the surrounding landscapes of parks and mountains. The building was deliberately placed for public access to the facilities and easy access from the surrounding hotels.

I’m really drawn to the high ceiling and the large oval windows, theyre both quite dramatic and the window shape is unique. The light colour palette and the lighting also seem to give it an almost other worldly effect which I think would be very relaxing in the space.

Kilic Ali Pasa Hamam – Cafer Bozkurt Architecture (2011)

This is a restoration project done in Istanbul, Turkey. Originally built in 1580 years of layered materials and debris had basically buried the main structure and architectural features of the Hamam. The restoration was part of a revitalisation of a once derelict area of the city. Throughout the restoration they used specific custom techniques and the use of original materials to keep the character of the building intact. The building is now a mix of old and new with period features being re-introduced after being covered up by additional walls over time. Part of the space has a natural ventilation system through the skylight which allows the warmer to escape and draws cooler air in through lower windows. Holistically built, this space required specialists from a variety of fields to work together to produce the final design.

I think it’s really cool to see how they’ve restored the period features of the structure and tried to returned the space to a similar experience as it would have originally been.

Széchenyi Thermal Baths

The Széchenyi Thermal Baths are located in Budapest’s city park where it was the first thermal bath on the Pest side. They were originally constructed in 1913 but have been upgraded several times since. The most recent being completed in 1999. Széchenyi contains a wellness centre, saunas, gymnastics and aqua-fitness. The are 21 baths and 15 of those are spring fed.

I visited Széchenyi myself and was in awe of the architecture. The main buildings are extravagant and breathtaking. The bathing experience itself is such an experience as there are so many pool options. It is both a popular spot for tourists and locals so there is a real mix of cultures. It was busy when I visited but because of the size and layout of the pools it didn’t feel crowded at all. The indoor baths were my favourite as the interior of the buildings added more atmosphere and character to the experience.