FOOD & WELLNESS CULB COMPETITION ENTRY / A. LAMPADIARI-MATSA, A. MERKOUREA, M. PACHI, A. VRANAKI

The main idea was to create a contemporary building in which the visitor would have the opportunity to participate into a multisensory experience, rediscovering the benefits of bathing. The morphological approach of the aqua zone -which constitutes the core of the building- involves the creation of a cave-like environment, that the visitor could explore  through his/her senses.

 

While wandering through different spaces, guests would encounter various types of water areas such as indoor and outdoor aqua zones, waterfalls, as well as amphitheatrically placed pools. Our main goal was to excite the senses through the sequence of light and shadow, indoor and outdoor spaces or pool areas, resulting in a variation of temperature and humidity levels.

The choice of materials involves a complementary palette of both traditional and contemporary materials including high-performance glazing, concrete and timber. As far as the landscape design is concerned, the multisensory experience of the visitor is fulfilled with the creation of green areas, where Mediterranean herbs are planted in order to excite the sense of smell, as well as to introduce the notion of Italian cuisine. 

 

In terms of sustainability, there are certain parameters that are taken into consideration for the bioclimatic performance of the building. A buffer zone in the north protects the building from the winter winds whereas, in the south, glass surfaces offer to the main facilities’ spaces maximum profit from the sunlight. As for the ventilation, in the summer the freeze coming from the north enters the building through the external spaces and the hot air is led towards the roof’s openings to the outside. The use of locally sourced materials and the water management through the rainwater collection are also additive attributes to the building’s sustainable design.