This international one-stage architecture ideas competition invites all architecture students, young architects and young professionals with a degree in architecture studies (≤ 40 years old) to develop and submit compelling ideas for the design of a Site Bathhouse located at the Milreu Fortress, in Ericeira, Portugal.

The Site Bathhouse is an introspective, fully immersive embodied sensory experience of water, light, scents, sound and temperature, where the arrival, movement, acclimation and relaxation create an intimate and unified relationship between place, body and matter in architecture.

The Milreu Fortress is a historical landmark located within a remarkable place, a powerful natural scenery where the remains of the Fortress together with the steep cliffs and the immensity of the Atlantic ocean are prominent features within this setting.

When generating a vision for an intervention located within such a remarkable place, it is essential that each design proposal emphasises, respects and celebrates the site and existing ruins, while provide a unique and memorable experience.

SITE BATHHOUSE

The Site Bathhouse is an introspective, fully immersive embodied sensory experience of water, light, scents, sound and temperature, where the arrival, movement, acclimation and relaxation create an intimate and unified relationship between place, body and matter in architecture.

Entrance *
Provide a space of transition between the natural landscape and the interior where visitors are welcomed before entering the Site Bathhouse.

Changing room(s) *
Provide a dressing area with two different accesses for men and women.

Laundry *
Provide an area for cleaning towels and storage.

Restrooms *
Provide restrooms next to the changing room(s).

Showers *
Provide showers for visitors to use before / after going to the bathing spaces.

Cold bath 14.o C *
Provide a space for a cold plunge bath. From this space, the visitors will enter into the ‘warm room’ before entering the ‘hot bath’.

Warm room 35.o C *
Provide a dry room heated with warm air to sit and prepare the body before entering into the ‘hot bath’. The ‘warm room’ should be situated between the ‘cold bath’ and the ‘hot bath’.

Hot bath 42.o C *
Provide a space for a hot water plunge bath where visitors experience a deep feeling of relaxation.

* Areas to be determined by each participant’s design proposal.

Total area of the Site Bathhouse to be determined by each participant’s proposal.

Notes:

The overall design of the Site Bathhouse must be sensitive to the site and existing ruins. There are no limitations in height, excavation or extension beyond the cliff edges. Spaces of the Site Bathhouse can be open and / or enclosed to the natural elements. Because this is an ideas competition, urban planning and building regulations will not be applied to the design proposal.

Jury

Will be announced soon.

Prizes

1st Prize   2000€ (two thousand euros)

2nd Prize 1000€ (one thousand euros)

3rd Prize   500€ (five hundred euros)

7 Honorable Mentions

Publications

All submissions will be published on the ArkxSite website.  
All reasonable efforts will be made to publish and promote the winners and honorable mentions in architectural magazines and blogs worldwide; however, such results will rely on agreements made with the publication entities.

Schedule

Competition opening: October 20, 2021

Early Registration Period: October 20 - December 20, 2021

Regular Registration Period: December 21 - January 21, 2022

Late Registration Period: January 22 - January 31, 2022

Submission Deadline: February 05, 2022

Jury Evaluation: February 25 - March 11, 2022

Competition Results: April 15, 2022

* All deadlines are established @ 23:59 hrs (Current local time in Portugal)

* A tax of 23% (VAT rate in Portugal) will be applied to the fees.

Read the competition rules and details on ARKxSITE's website. Download the competition brief here. 

Top image courtesy of ARKxSITE.

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