Liepāja Thermal Bath

The dome has been an important organizational and representational device throughout the history of the public bath, playing a central role in the most technologically innovative Roman bathing structures, through myriad dim and atmospheric Ottoman examples, and continuing on into countless Renaissance and Baroque precedents. The dome's semiological and organizational roles in these structures are closely aligned: by reinforcing centrality and singularity, the form renders unmistakably explicit the primacy of the circle of space directly below.

The representational efficiency of the dome has made it a favorite among patrons with an interest in reinforcing the notion of a centralized and singular power system, whether that system is absolute monarchy, monotheism, hegemonic dictatorship, etc. Not surprisingly, the form acquired more than a few problematic political associations during the first part of the 20th century, and despite postmodernism's light hand with classical form, the dome has never been fully rubbed clean of its authoritarian tarnish.

Our design seeks to undermine the conventional symbolic performance of the much maligned hemisphere by challenging its centripetal tendencies as well as its hierarchical bias. Working with its generative primitive, the sphere, we propose a multiplicity of domes, both upright and inverted, as a rhizomatic formal and organizational embodiment of a contemporary public that is democratic, horizontally empowered, and increasingly networked. Capitalizing on the seemingly serendipitous intersection of these friendly spherical forms, as well as the unique spaces between them within the poché, the project uses its sociopolitical conceptual foundation in service of an unorthodox spatial experience that is both spirited and atmospheric.

“Everyone on the jury was enraptured by what one could experience swimming in this complex. The light conditions alone are absolutely stunning.” – Brendan MacFarlane

“This is an ecosystem, a dream world I want to explore. Mysterious and compelling. The aesthetics of this project set itself apart. The use of spherical cavities creates a more spiritual than secular play of light. It is a celebration of mass & volume where the spaces hearken back in time." - AIA NextLA Jury

“I would be interested to see how the spa pool space would actually feel. Could be a very evocative space.” Ian Bogle

“A fascinating building type that I am very interested in from a historical point of view. Sculpturally interesting.” Chris Brandon

“Creating serene spaces for contemplation and relaxation, the design is a grand gesture inspired by the simple form of a water pool or droplet which is repeated to create domed chambers for the various water-based activities of the spa. The overlapping circular pattern in the plan grades spaces by volume, connects and links the domed forms, creating a three dimensional chain of rooms. At this early stage of the design, the material selection is unclear, but the concept is clearly displayed in the elevational layout of solid and void, and the forms within.” Sarah Brown

“An interesting theoretical exploration on the powerful geometry of the dome that yields some surprising results.” Benedict Tranel