Four Pools | Four Qualities

Programatically, this thesis takes the form of a bath house, carved into the side of the Palisades that run along the New River, near Eggleston, VA. Natural springs were formed within the cliffs, that run off into the New River below. The bath house becomes place for patrons to bathe in the mineral baths in a meditative setting. This thesis investigates qualities of light and shadow, and how these elements activate the interior surfaces of form. The architecture is formed by the introduction of light and shadow in ways that are meant to create moments of pause. The building consists of a series of separate pools that allow natural light to enter through various light wells. Architecture is decided in space by light and shadow. This decisiveness requires the existence of rooms. It is upon the interior surfaces that light and shadow become present. The light wells above allow certain sensible interactions to occur between the architecture of the form and the shallow pools of water.