There is a large history around bathhouses internationally. Many different cultures have rituals and traditions when it comes to bathing experiences. New Zealand saw its first public bathhouse (the Tepid Baths) in 1860. Bathing was often a public occurrence at this point in history as many people did not have their own baths in their homes. This public style of bathing in New Zealand was a response to the colonization of the country and Western culture being implemented (Dave Pearson Architect Limited. (2008, February). The Tepid Baths, Auckland: A Conservation Plan.).
Turkish baths, known as hammamas, are probably one of the most well known cultural bathing experiences in the modern world. The Turkish hammam became popular in the 7th Century. The purpose for the ritual and experience is “for purifying body and soul” (https://handsonturkish.com/visiting-a-turkish-hammam/). Traditionally, you are bathed by another person. I find it interesting how although this challenges our modern ideas of privacy and intimacy, it is still a popular and common practice by many people. In the hammam you are scrubbed and massaged by an attendant. Because I am designing a public bathhouse, I am definitely interested in looking into the traditions of communal bathing and how it works.
Japanese onsen are the baths of the natural springs thoughout Japan. What intrigues me about the onsen is my knowledge of the health benefits of natural thermal springs. According to BBC Travel “the practice of soaking in these thermal baths for healing, spirituality and rejuvenation stems back to when Buddhism spread to Japan in the 500s.” (http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20121129-the-origins-of-bathhouse-culture-around-the-world). Because of their natural form, there is a long history behind the onsen. Another interesting thing about the onsen is how physically exposing the tradition is. It is compulsory to experience the onsen in the nude which, similar to the Turkish hammam, challenges the ideas of privacy and intimacy.
One other bathing experience that I found interesting and very different from other cultural bathing rituals was the Native American sweat lodges. The ritual takes place in a dome-like tent or hut where hot rocks are placed in the center. Over the course of the ritual, water is periodically poured onto the rocks creating a steamy atmosphere in the dwelling. The ritual is very spiritual based with offerings made to the spirits throughout. Anthropologist Raymond A Bucko explains in his book The Lakota Ritual of the Sweat Lodge that “the Native American sweat experience, a ceremony expressly and wholly focused on the spiritual, pushes both the body and the mind to its limits. Suffering for the sake of moral strengthening is one important theme that permeates throughout the sweat lodge.” (http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20121129-the-origins-of-bathhouse-culture-around-the-world). Unlike other cultural bathing experiences, the sweat lodge ritual takes place over several hours in 30 minute intervals.
Something I found interesting and common in many of the bathing ritual was that the bathhouses were experienced by all; all classes and ages are welcome in many of the cultural bathing traditions. They were also all communally experienced as well which challenges the western cultural ideas of bathing privately. From this research, I want to take away the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of bathing and explore how I can implement these larger ideas around bathing (rather than just cleansing the skin) into my own design.
Spatial Design by Ciara 