ARCH1102 Year 1 Sem 2 Project 2 Bathhouse Final Submission (repost)

Analysis and inspiration from the precedents:

The idea of my design of this bath house is inspired by Louis Kahn's Trenton bathhouse and Peter Zumthor's Thermal Vals. In Louis Kahn's design of his bathhouse, the main components of his design are the composition of square blocks in which representing different purpose of space and the division of rooms with interlocking blade walls. On the other hand, Zumthor's design is composed with huge rooms with dark-coloured tall walls to create a sense of "cave" like feeling in its spaces. He uses thick walls to separate spaces to create various experiences within an architecture with adequate use of lighting effects.

Application onto my design:

In my design, the main theme of it is TRANSITION of SPACE & EXPERIENCES. Different area of individual rooms are composed with square / rectangular blocks to create various kind of bathing experiences through the transition between space.

[conceptual drawings]

Process:

basic idea no.1

 basic idea no.2 

With the suggestion provided, the 2 ideas were then combined and became the foundation of current design.

Combined design:

[tutor's suggestions made on my design]

Finalized result: 

The ground level of the building is dug into the ground to create a sense of dark and mysterious space. As users travel through the entrance and the changing room to the hot water bath pool, only limited amount of light is allowed through the ceiling openings to get into the level and make it similar to the bathhouse designed by Peter Zumthor. As this level is built with tall concrete walls and with limit access of daylight, this builds up the atmosphere of Zumthor's design of a cave-like bathroom. Besides, Louis Kahn style of space division is applied on this level to separate the entrance, the changing room and the pool.

After having a bath in this level, users can either reach to the backyard of the bath house, or go to the next level of the bathhouse. Users are required to walk through staircases to the next floor. In purpose to demonstrate the difference of spaces of levels, the stairs are fitted with integrating size of openings and allow more incoming light from the outdoor environment, meanwhile letting users to have some views to the outside. After walking through the stairs, a long corridor with cool showers are placed to help cooling the users down and prepare for the coming bathing experience.

After reaching to the top level, the setting is changed to a wide open pool with sunbathing area on the toppest ground of the bathhouse. It allows users to look over to the outside of the bathhouse and have interaction with the outside environment. The top level is inspired by Zumthor's outdoor bath pool and the sunbathing area. 

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