Tharmala Paidala – a dance in the mountains

FINALIST of Himalayan Thermal Bath

+ FINALIST

Himalayan Thermal Bath

Tharmala Paidala – a dance in the mountains

Team

Name: Jill RIES

Nationality: Luxembourg

Institution / Company: A+ Architecture, Diekirch

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The smooth architecture of the curved platforms honour the Tamang Selo, a traditional dance of the Tamang people, and initiates its visitors to the ritual of thermal bathing. Locals and hikers are invited to rest and appreciate the ancient benefits of bathing.

Besides the health benefits of a thermal bath, “Thermala Paidala” disposes of a low-tech solution for potable water, that follows the principles of a portable solar distiller, utilizing sunlight to distil polluted water, in order to give local communities access water, sanitation and therefore quality of life.  Moreover, an importance of this project was the creation of arable surfaces, in this case the roof of the structure that would allow plantations.

Since being in a mountainous environment, picking the right materials is another important design factor. That’s why the proposal works with local stones, prefabricated wood and concrete items easily transportable by helicopter. The stones, collected around the site itself, offer natural shaped seating and give a warm sensation to the bather.

Finally, the proposal seeks to embrace the Tamang culture by offering a serene place for both locals and tourists as well as respecting the beautiful and breathtaking environment around the Gosaikunda lake.

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