Canadian studio MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects has expanded a thermal baths and spa complicated in Quebec, including a concrete plinth that homes an outside pool and a hidden rest room.
Balnea Spa and Thermal Reserve is tucked away close to the ski city of Bromont within the Appalachian Mountains, southeast of Montreal and north of Vermont, USA.
As a part of a big enlargement venture initiated in spring 2023, MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects added extra facilities in a concrete quantity that faces the spa's scenic view of Gale Lake.
“The beneficiant new thermal tub and spa terrace floor the scheme within the panorama,” stated studio co-founder Brian MacKay-Lyons, who led the venture's design crew.
“The usage of pure supplies enhances the 'spa in nature' studying whereas offering a variety of haptic experiences for the consumer,” he added.
The brand new plinth extends onto a gently stepped terrace with populated tiers of chairs and loungers overlooking the lake and mountains past.
Between wood decking areas and stone walkways, wildflower beds add pops of coloration and Corten metal sunshades forged shadows.
On the finish of the terrace, the brand new concrete quantity protrudes in order that the water contained inside it acts as an infinity pool.
“The venture references the encircling pure setting by its materiality and kind,” stated the studio. “The spa's concrete quantity juts out from the panorama, referencing the feel and pure rock of the Appalachians.”
The U-shaped heated pool will be accessed by steps down from both facet, and a sunken bench is supplied for swimmers to sit down and admire the view.
On one facet of the construction, a bit lower out of the concrete wall is stuffed with glass – permitting a view of the lake under.
Beneath the pool is a rest room, enveloped in a curvilinear quantity of wooden that descends from the ceiling and folds to kind tiered benches.
Sand is positioned on the ground and a collection of sliding glass panels absolutely retract to open the room to the surface.
“The lounge invitations friends to loosen up and disconnect as they sink their ft into effective sand and an environment paying homage to a seashore,” stated the studio.
From the surface, the heat of the darkish wooden inside contrasts with the cool planked concrete.
The decrease stage additionally contains wood-lined altering areas and mechanical providers, which embody a warmth restoration system and an optimized filtration system.
Based mostly in Halifax, Nova Scotia, MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects is probably finest identified for its personal properties and cottages, which vary from a “village” of coastal Corten-clad buildings to a thatched-roof trip house huge.
Nearer in performance and magnificence to this venture, the studio beforehand accomplished a pool home in Quebec that references Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Pavilion.
Images is by Maxime Brouillet.
Challenge credit:
Design management: Brian MacKay-Lyon
Architect/ venture supervisor: Tyler Reynolds
Challenge crew: Talbot Sweetapple, Paryse Beatty, Ryan DeWolde, Andrew Tomchyshyn, Matthew MacKay-Lyons, Ryhland Taylor
Ecological structure: Etienne Lemay
Development contractor: Maurice David and Daughters
Panoramic raise and slide: Bachand & Bosquet
Outer door: Bachand & Bosquet