Steam Baths Act 5 -- Site and Design

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The Steam Bath’s entrance dips beneath the earth like the act of bathing. The underground parking baths the guests with light through the direct lightwells above. The noise from highway 61 is impeded by the curb-hill, low vegetation, tall trees, earthen-roof and lightwells. The site becomes quiet and calm. Only the sounds of lapping water and laughing guests are heard from the site.

To heat the structure the medieval kachelöfen is used. An intuitive system harnessing wood for a fuel source. After an hour of burning a log the oven is shut-off but will continue to heat the room for another twelve hours because of its channelled chimney. The oven is very efficient, using one log per year (6m3). The intuitive system uses radiant heating which warms the surrounding timbrel vaults rather than air. So, venting does not remove heat but rather only stale air within. The Steam Baths essentially become a giant oven stove.

The entire structure sits underground aside from the hotel and courtyards. To support the Earthen-roof and sculpture garden, a super structure must be implemented: the timbrel vault. The medieval vaulting carves cavities out of the earth and supports it with a ply-tile surface. The strength of the structure comes from the self supporting tile and mortared walls. It is extraordinarily fierce. A few of the greatest architects have used timbrel vaulting with much success: Antoni Gaudi, Eladio Dieste and Rafael Guastavino.

The Steam Baths are a delight to experience and are technically and sensually intuitive. Each space is designed particularly and practically to fully digest the guest into the dramatic play. The collective project integrates poetics, aesthetics and functionality into an atmospheric theatrical stage.

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