The original 1979 character of the Römerbad Thermal Spa in Austria remain ever-present in Behnisch Architekten’s redesign and facility expansion. The surrounding formal canon was a main inspiration to the new architecture that has been implemented. This is reflected in swung green terraces, the sculptural influences found in the original main hall, and the internal organization. The internal organization of the spa is designed according to the landscaped terraces aligned to the natural east west of the valley, and by the multi-story composition of the spa.
©Behnisch Architekten
The many stories of the spa is considered an unusual feature, yet it allows for other exciting architectural moments to take effect. These can be seen in the atrium in the new wellness wing, and most notably in the facade. The facades of the new extension acts in two ways: one serving as simple post and bean construction for insulation while maximizing the glazing of the naturally lit interior, and the other as a beautiful ‘exoskeleton’ that varies in density in order to define the character of the building.
©Behnisch Architekten
By Ariela Lenetsky
Project info :
Ariela is an architect, writer and editor based out of Montreal, Quebec, who has a Bachelors of Science in Architecture from McGill University. Apart from her experience as an Editor for Arch2o, Ariela has worked extensively in construction management, as well as in research for integrated parametric prototyping architectural design. Her knowledge of these dynamic fields enables her to pursue interest in diverse fields.