A public bathhouse

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the manifestation of a public bathhouse within a South African urban context. The proposal provides ablution and infrastructure to a public transport interchange precinct within Tshwane, Marabastad. The architectural exploration aims to enrich the ritual of cleansing by introducing the act of bathing to the public urban environment. Challenges associated with the typology is addressed through integration with surroundings, ensuring the potential of social life centred around a fundamental human act. The goal therefore lies in a celebration of ritual as derived from context, not the imposition of an ancient typology, or an irrelevant programme. The relevance to South African architecture is found in the investigation as a template for similar projects attempted in areas of similar context. A bathhouse is defined as an asset infiltrating, and proving for, its existing context. Copyright