LEGil Design » Archive » Arch 201, Charrette 04

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Because of the pristine site proposed for the project, I wanted the bath house to appear to blend into the mounainside. The idea was to have the patron approach the bath house and continually discover something as he or she made their way through the structure. The bath house, then becomes a part of the hillside and appears to be a natural rocky formation tumbling down the mountain side.

For starters, the program is evolved linearly, beginning high on the mountainside and gradually stepping down to the main bath areas. The entrance is prominent, but the rest of the structure is secluded, at times literally buried within, within the mountainside. The patron is introduced to the structure on a serene entry step where he or she can appreciate the views of the natural beauty surrounding them, but is then asked to descend into the mounain, literally, to go through the main lobby and changing facilities. This is meant as a transition point for the patron.

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To reach the baths the patron must literally travel through the mounain and trek through the changing rooms meant to not only as physical changing rooms, but as areas to change the patrons mood before entering the main spaces.

Exiting the changing spaces, the rest of the structure is meant to evoke a sense of discovery, both of self and of structure. The bath house takes many turns as it snakes its way down the mountain, and this is meant to mimick natural cave formations. Behind every turn there is a programatic reward, adding the the sense of discovery. The cave-like atmosphere is punctuated at times, as in the main pool and numerous decks, by expansive opennings exhibiting the views beyond the hillside, connecting the patron to the environment. The experience culminates at the open air baths which are open to views of the valley below.