Down We Go

WINNER [2] of London Urban Retreat: Haggerston Public Baths

+ WINNER [2]

London Urban Retreat: Haggerston Public Baths

[20004]

Down We Go: Urban baths combined with local fulfilment.

Team

Name: Koh Noguchi

Instagram: @_noguchi_works_

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/m/in/koh-noguchi-01baa0219/

Nationality: Japan

Name: Liesl Wong

Instagram: @imliesl

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liesl-wong/

Nationality: Hong Kong

Name: Serena Faizal

Instagram: @sfaizal2000

Nationality: Malaysia

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The proposal honours the ancient rituals of public bathing whilst simultaneously catering to the needs of the contemporary urbanite. The original structure of the Haggerston Bath House is sensitively re-organised to re-introduce the concept of public bathing into the city once again; splash pools and spa spaces honour this tradition, whilst the introduction of more contemporary necessities such as co-working spaces makes it suitable for our era. Existing elevations are largely retained, with strategic interventions along the northwest edge providing curated glimpses into the spaces within.

The element of nature greets visitors as they enter each space; a series of gardens punctuate the flow of the programme, creating an inward-looking environment that offers refuge from the mechanistic atmosphere of the city. The spa is placed underground, so as to create even more of a cocooned refuge around the contemporary urbanite, whilst yoga spaces, gym areas, co-working spaces, and even a library look inwards to the bursts of greenery within the refurbished bath house.

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Jury Comments

– Leire Álvarez

The essence of the building has been preserved while introducing new uses that respond to the needs of contemporary society. The newly generated spaces organized around green areas, together with the careful treatment of natural light and the spatial richness achieved through the section, result in a well-resolved and thoughtful proposal. 

– Ziyang Xu

This work presents a refined integration of natural elements, producing poetic spatial qualities while remaining closely aligned with the existing architectural context. The treatment of water is especially successful, enabling the project to respond to its theme with clarity and a palpable sense of spatial breathing.

– Josefine Fokdal

This project reinvents the bathing facility and relocates it into the ground while using the old bath for a scenary – creting an inverted environment. This reconfiguration does include spaces that invites the community into the space and fullfill services as common goods such as co-wokring spaces and libary.