Architect Massimiliano Strano
ArchitectSALUS PER NATURAM
FINALIST of London Urban Retreat: Haggerston Public Baths
+ FINALIST
London Urban Retreat: Haggerston Public Baths
[20429]
SALUS PER NATURAM (Voids as pauses)
Team
Name: MASSIMILIANO STRANO – Principal Architect
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bureau69_architects/
Lindkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-strano-/
Nationality: Italy
Institution / Company: bureau69 architects
Name: LENA KOVACS – Assistant Architect
Nationality: Hungary
Name: FRANCESCO CENSABELLA – Structural Engineer
Nationality: Italy
The project is based on a crucial concept: subtraction, understood as the removal of volumetric redundancy and visual noise in order to generate a constructive relationship with the void, experienced as the rhythmic pause in the compositional metric. This approach rewrites the script of a tendentially chaotic place (the city), transforming it into a spatial framework capable of hosting a theatre of coexistence, where movement, activity, and reflection are layered without hierarchy.
A balanced use of life-conditioning elements—water, vegetation, ventilation, and natural light—combined with moments of withdrawal from daily rhythms, supports wellbeing and frames a system of conscious sociality with anancestral relationship with water and plants. Natural components are introduced as physically and visually connected systems, enhancing permeability and redefining access, orientation, and the relationship between interior and exterior spaces.
Connecting new and restored historic buildings, a sequence of comb-like elements operate through an interconnected mantra rhythm. These elements act as a diaphragm, filtering light, views, and perception throughout the day, shaping the temporal and sensory experience of the space.
Through these strategies, the project explores how architectural form, natural systems, and social processes can interact to redefine both the experience and function of an urban sector.
Jury Comments
– Josefine Fokdal
The suggested functions do not work t all with the suggested floor plans. The architecturl approach of substrction is interesting but the new space that is created does not seems ot have any ‘function’ such as a new entrace area…
Responses
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Thanks for the comment. All the functions suggested (by the program) are in the project. The architectural approach of course goes beyond and treat the subject of “retreat” in a larger way. Based on the official documents (Haggerston Baths Questionnaire and Other Feedback
November 2015) the local community wants, a part from a pool, funcitons as cafe/restaurant, community space, educationas education, library and family
and art… (sorry the message was cut). Therefore our vision for this project started from a real need of the local community. Close by there is a big gym and pool center (the Britannia leisure center), therefore doesnt make any sense for us to repeat that type of retreat. The community develpos around spaces that are shared, and functions that are socials. Residence for local artists, workshops, pubblic gardens as extension of internal space, library, and spa are , for us, the key for a changing of living pace in a city where time is not yours and sometimes you fight for your own time. Architecture is not functional but inspirational 🙂