Submission: May 23, 2014
Registration: May 2, 2014
Language: English
Location: Liepaja, Latvia
Prizes: 1st Prize $ 5.000 2nd Prize $ 1.500 3rd Prize $ 500
Type: Open competition for architects and architecture students
International architecture competition for architects and architecture students to express your vision for the revitalisation and further development of the ‘Bath House’, designed by Paul Max Berchi in 1902.
Inside its richly furnished halls, visitors had the chance to experience immersion in warm seawater, and healing mud baths. Visitors were offered a range of recreational therapies like hydrotherapy, Roman and Irish saunas, and latter mud, carbonic acid, and sulfur baths. After WWII the swimming facility functioned as a resort and sanatorium, attracting health and rest seekers from Latvia and abroad. In 1978 an underground lake 1300 meters beneath the swimming facility was discovered, containing high-quality minerals. The valuable spring remains active, and a recent water quality check proves that the water is in excellent condition and usable for therapeutic purposes. However, in 1993 soon after Latvia regained its independence the sanatorium was shut down and has remained closed since, nevertheless due to rapid economic growth in the region, there are hopes that this iconic building can be restored and once again used as the Bath House.
The design brief is flexible, open for modifications and improved development strategies. The proposal should consider all areas inside and outside the building. We encourage participants to reactivate the iconic Bath House building, as well as add new structures and new functions to the complex.
More information on site restrictions, design proposal requirements and design proposal recommendations can be found in the competition brief available for download.