Healt Spa at Lucca

This is a sketch project commissioned by Polis Spa for the the rennovation of the former military stables in Lucca currently used as sports centre for the local community.

The programme required several different types of swimming pool from fun to rehabilitation, a gymnasium/dance floor, fitness and private health spa all with the usual accessory spaces and a large snack bar. The design challenge was to fit all of this in a relatively small space (60x25xh.11m). The outer shell had to be left intact and restored to its former state. Thus the new structure has to be made completely independent of the perimetre walls. The level of the pools were placed at a lowered ground floor (-2m) with the plant rooms placed underneath. from this level a structural spine is created opposite the entrace side from which two slabs are cantileved out over the pools. The private health spa occupies the roof space between the trusses in "a world of its own".

Some minor modifications are forseen in the truss system to create a central passage connecting the treatment cubicles on one side from the activities (sauna, turkish bath, and access from below. Above the relaxation area an opening in the roof is cut to allow natural light in.

Project: September 2006-January 2007