This week we started to look more into our own designs of the bathhouse. I started with a more abstract approach on how I wanted the flow of water to work in the space. I show the pool with the dark horizontal lines fading out. I wanted to show that there was no definite edge to the pool but that it sloped down, gradually becoming deeper. The extrusions out of the north wall are glass boxes. I wanted occupants to feel like they were in the forest and understand and embrace the peace of New Zealand native forest. The glass boxes would be half underground, half above allowing people to enter into them and see the different layers of the forest.
The vertical lines on the right side of the basement represent the direction of the flow of water. I was thinking of maybe having a glass panel along the ceiling and curving down the north wall. There would then be a constant stream of water running over the top of it to allow people to be underneath it and feel like the water I rushing over them. Underneath this would be a refreshment stand.
I was thinking of keeping my entrance on the north side, allowing people to walk through and experience the forest before entering the building. The dotted line right of the entrance is a rain-like effect from the ceiling. I wanted to bring the tranquil affect of the forest into the space with the use of trickling water sound. I was also inspired by the Rain poem by Hone Tuwhare and his beautiful descriptions of the rain. This trail curves around guiding the flow of people through the space. I also liked the idea of having the rain effect as a block rather than a definite wall as it creates a more open and freely moving space.
Spatial Design by Ciara 