SACRED BATHS
A PROGRESSION TOWARDS
SPIRITUALITY THROUGH HISTORY & TRADITION
Holystone, a village which is difficult to imagine being anything else than heaven; a place of peace. The village’s current situation, a sleepy hamlet, does not reflect the life the village used to have centuries ago when it worked as a place for sacred spiritual cleansing for hundreds of pilgrims, as well as a stop for Roman traders.
The village’s strong bonds with Christianity and the water element are indisputable. The sandstone settlement, which is built with the ruins of the old nunnery of the area, is formed around fresh springs which throughout history were providing shelter and protection to passengers and locals.
The strong dominance of the village has vanished throughout the years. By engaging with the Christian background, the essence of the water tradition and the Roman history of the area, we are aiming to create a place that: 1) will attract pilgrims to move through their spiritual journey, 2) promote religion, 3) and provide shelter for relaxation. Finally, visitors who are in search of a spiritual cleansing could enjoy a sensational experience through a progression of different activities of the thermal springs of Holystone.
WORKBOOK/ DEVELOPMENT
PRESENTATION BOARDS
Themes
The architecture of the area is a revival of the remains of the past. The building of the local church, which used to be the leading of the area, is an example of the reuse of local sandstone from the old monastery.
Water is a main feature, dominance in the area, creates reflections which brings the attention to ourselves or others to generate experiences, whilst helps the image to blend with its surroundings. Christian Landmarks like the Lady’s Well are hidden all over the area as a reminder to the past and the lost traditions.
Site
The site is located in a controversial location around the wider area of the Northumberland forest it is also aligned to the church of the village and easily accessible through the main roads
Concept
As a reference back to the Christian links of the area the arrangement of the spaces around the site has been devel- oped based on a reference to the plan of the local church. The Transept acts as an information area and introduction to the site. The Nave relates to the seating area together with the restaurant and accommodation area, and finally the Altar which is the most spiritual place in a church refers to the baths.
Concept
The area during different times of the year is being affected by flood. Water as part of the tradition of the area shouldn’t be hided or covered by the structures but engaged with them, thus the building introduces pockets where the water of the river is inserting into the building.
Progression
Studies proved that, tricking the different senses with different therapies can lead to the maximum relaxation and therefore spiritual cleansing of the man. Such an approach though should be with an order of a continuous switch between hot and cold water.
The significant change of levels of the building allows interaction with the river and direct connection of the visitors to the water features of the area.
Relationships of: internal/ external spaces, sheltered /open air areas can be identified from the section. The main pool of the building acts as a navigator and a reference point for the visitors’ experience.
​
Variety of Different activities can be found on the Ground floor that requires different heights to achieve different experiences and atmospheres. Whilst the accommodation [private area] [first and Second floor] overhangs over the river and aims to capture different views.
The access point of the building is at the river level so it allows people to start their journey guided by the water, as they walk through the height increase due to the flood risk and they get back to the river through the baths.
From the section we can identify the depth of the pool and the cavities under the floor for the services.
Aromatotherapy bath
By eliminating the external factor and focusing on one sense at a time, visitors achieve body and soul purity at the same time.
Aromatotherapy baths with flower petals[Bog Myrtle] is one of the baths that aims to trigger the smell and relax the body.
Multipurpose room
shows the relationship with the context and the river
​
​
​
​
External-Main Pool
The arched colonnade, which can be found on site, transfers us back to Roman times whilst the water which seats in the middle creates a reflection thus achieving a sense of unity.
The still calm water welcomes the visitor to a journey of reflection of the self – a meditation can be referred. If someone follows the pool will end to a journey of several experiences with water that can lead to relaxation and connection to the spiritual self.
Interior-Main Pool
Moreover to move between baths, massage rooms, saunas, and steam baths there is a requirement of rest time so as the transition from one experience to another allow to achieve the maximum spirituality, thus different temperatures of water is aim to wash out this
1 200mm local Sandstone
NHL 3.5 lime mortar,
Vapour barier,
160mm Rigid Thermal insulation,
300mm Reinforce in-situ concrete wall with rough finish
2. Stone Roof finish/Cover – Parapet,
25mm over hangs the wall on each side to not drop the rain water on the wall
3. 25mm bituminous sheeting
180mm thermal insulation vapour barrier,
150mm reinforced concrete roof slab
4. 30mm Limestone
20mm mortar,
65mm screed layer with integrated under floor heating
200mm thermal insulation,
85mm screed,
300mm Concrete Slab
5. Concrete cast arch
6. Concrete cast staircase, reinforce finish with 75mm thermal Insulation
7. Window Frame supported in cavity
Double glazed 20mm with thermal break in the center to minimize heat loss
8. 150mm Stone,
NHL 3.5 mortar
160mm Rigid insulation,
vapour barrier
150mm stone
9. 30mmlimestone
20mm mortar,
100mm gap of services for the pool
85mm screed
75mm Thermal Insulation,
300mm Reinforce Concrete slab
10. Pile foundation: For further information refer to the workbook of the project( at the top of the page)