
“in the midst of a multi-existential crisis, bathhouses can be a critical part of the answer; connecting people to people and people to nature, providing the basis for community level action needed to address sustainability challenges”
-Caitlin Voss
sustainability.
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sustainable design.
Interior component recommendations via user experiences:
Process (layout of the space)—”3 stages of rituals”³⁴ and their characteristics based on ethnographic activity/target audience
Separation³⁴ (remove distractions—clothes and phones)
Transition³⁴ (let go of ego/identity—introduce “new cultural expressions”³⁴ that experiment with connection to nature and to each other)
Incorporation³⁴ (introduce “new forms, behaviors, attitudes, ideas, and activities”³⁴ — reflect and share with society)
Elements/features (the characteristics/components of the facility)
Accessibility (garments required/offered, mixed genders)
Immersive art (offer multiple cultural experiences/services; inclusion of art to create opportunities for expansive debate and thinking)
Elements of contrast (designated space for reflection/introduction to the practice of mindfulness)
Biophilic elements³¹ (light, natural patterns, environmental features, water, place-based relationships, plants, views, and more)
Co-exist (cohabitate with services/companies/organizations founded on the basis of inclusivity to improve affordability and accessibility)
Modular design³¹ (areas that can be independently created and used in different areas to create customizable spaces for solo and collective activities to improve individual reflection and socialization)
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example layouts.
The uses and characteristics/components of the different spaces — before and after
Before (layout/image on the top)
Only one way to enter/exit → reduces accessibility and doesn’t allow for individuals to attend an event or socialize without needing to navigate through the entire space and participate in the bathing experience
Unused and or limited use of specific areas
Designated days for women and men (women’s days are Mondays and Thursdays; men’s days Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturday, and Sundays) → reduces inclusivity; multi-gender days or undesignated days have the capacity to increase inclusivity
Nudity is required → initial barrier to visitor-ship; locker area feels like the center of the space (adding more influence to this aspect than needed)
Present space doesn’t allow for a fluid/intuitive flow that follows the “three stages of rituals”³⁴
Multi-cultural rituals are not included and introduced to customers
Space is enclosed → natural/biophilic elements are not present
No area to be outdoors
Limited to no natural light
After (layout/image on the bottom)
Recommended solutions:
Separation³⁴
Mixed gender changing room (curtains used for private/public use)
“Shift from the mundane and every day”⁴⁰ (inscribe on wall what you want to let go of)
Open up all five senses to nature (shift beyond self)
Transition³⁴
“Fantastical”⁴⁰ (introduce immersive art, rituals that introduce “new cultural expressions”³⁴)
Bathing rituals and multiple cultural experiences/services (the seven steps: sauna, mist room, alternative cultural rituals, steam room, shower, cold plunge, soak in pool)
Pool that can shift into a stage/platform for events
Incorporation³⁴
Celebratory space (café/area to re-nourish, socialize, connect, and reflect on experience)
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resources.
Environmental wellbeing.
International Living Futures Institute (cultivate society that is socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative)
Biomimicry 3.8 (the world’s leading bio-inspired consultancy offering biological consulting, training, and speaking)
AskNature (search or explore featured content to learn about other species’ successful strategies and adaptations)
The Natural Step (global network of non-profit and benefit organizations that share the same brand, core identity and purpose—contact regional offices)
Architecture 2030 (transform the built environment from the major contributors of greenhouse gas emissions to a central solution to the climate crisis design and planning, education, policy, and collaboration)
2021 UN Environment Programme, “Making Peace with Nature: A scientific blueprint to tackle the climate, biodiversity and pollution emergencies”
United Nations, “Addressing the Sustainable Urbanization Challenge”
Maggie Macnab, Design by Nature: Using Forms and Principles in Design
Jane Wither Studio (raising awareness of environmental issues and inspiring change through design)
Building community cohesion for effective community participation in community based tourism
