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Kuwamizu Bath House

wAtelier

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Designer
Floor area
38 ㎡
Completion
2020
Interior Designer
Architect
Structural Engineer

This small project for a bath house in Kumamoto, built into a house for both public and private use, asks to revisit the notion of viewing art objects and its architectural context. Art is simply projected onto a canvas of rotated triangular hinoki (Japanese cypress), which disrupt the original, seamless work of art by appearing and disappearing at different angles. The disruption evolves perpetually in multiple variations as the bather circulates in space: walking in, sitting down, stretching, soaking in water, immersing in steam. Art is no longer limited to spaces of optimized temperature and light control, nor requires the body to position themselves at perfect vantage points. The original concept imagined the louvers to be shaved off with kanna (traditional Japanese wood shaver) to accommodate different art exhibitions throughout the years. The materials were chosen based on their local sourceability, ease of assembly, and environmental impact. Japanese cypress is abundantly available in the region. It is durable and has natural moisture control and good dimensional stability. Walls and floor were poured with terrazzo, enriched with fragments of limestone and blacksand. This created an even surface for ease of cleaning and maintenance, as well as an organic texture and color that complemented the warmth of the lumber used in the building. Brass-colored faucets and handrails offer accents to the muting effects of the terrazzo-covered surfaces.