Alpine Escape

Inspired by the bathhouses of the past, Turkish Hammams in particular, the Alpine Escape bathhouse sets out to explore how intimate spaces can be constructed through the use of daylight. Alpine Escape builds on an isolated environment, and pre-industrial models of intimate space, such as hammams and caves. Based on the principle of creating forms and space according to light, this project carves out a mountain to generate spaces for intimacy guided through daylight. “Caves of intimacy” are carved out on the lone Alpine mountain scape. This allows for the already-intimate bathhouse space to be further developed as a plane for personal connection, intimacy and seclusion. Daylight aids in developing intimacy within the confines of the bathhouse by providing gentle luminosity in the “caves” created. Daylight facilitates interaction and space in the bathhouse; it creates an escape from the impersonal nature of postmodern life and enables true human contact.