Atmospheric

Immaterial elements: heat, light, and humidity, all effect our perception of space. The desert city of Antofagasta is in a relative state of meteorological stasis, this project introduces the luxuries of atmospheric heterogeneity and delight. Exploring immaterial elements to define architectural space within the bathhouse and the atmosphere which surrounds it - a curated meteorological landscape.

The atmospheric effects of architecture are often a consequence of the design process rather than a methodology. Taking the opposite approach this project considers how architecture can amplify the weather of the city.

The project considers a community bathhouse which seeks to provide a series of luxuries to the diverse communities within the city, bringing together wealthy mineworkers and those living in the unauthorised  campamentos through the shared luxury of bathing. Providing everything from luxury bathing to warm showers and laundry facilities. The spaces between provide a rich meteorological landscape which brings the community together around the luxury of the weather which cannot be experienced in the city.

Can design amplify the existing climatic phenomena to curate a dynamic weather, bringing the luxury of a meteorological landscape to the city?

Exposing services and structural elements allows the occupant to experience the climatic potential of elements. Materials go from monofunctional to performing a hybrid role in the space.

The volumes penetrate through the beams forming the void. Cloud like interventions are parasitic to the pipes, using the temperature to curate condensation and steam formation whilst also allowing occupants to climb up towards the cool soffit above.

The temperature of the water in the puddle fluctuates with a different rhythm to the air around offering the opportunity for delight and respite from the heat.

The public bathhouse was originally designed for the common when bathing facilities were a luxury afforded by few, since then it has become a recreational luxury.

In the divided city of Antofagasta, where many do not have access to private bathing facilities, I consider whether the bathhouse can become a communal luxury once again. Thermal baths have a history of capitalising on climatic idiosyncrasies. However, through this project I will consider how the bathhouse volumes can act as climatic lungs curating the climate of the public space below. Generating heterogeneous conditions in an otherwise homogeneous city.

This conceptual section exercise explores this concept of ‘climatic lungs’ which distribute the luxury of atmospheric experience across the public park below.

In a divided city can common luxuries bring bridge across social strata?

 The project explores a series of luxuries which extend across social strata, access to clean and hot water, public space and oases, providing a space for the community to come together.

A meteorological landscape

The moderate climate of the city allow the building to be unwrapped and unlike in a typical building the climatic exchange is decoupled from the envelope and pervades the plan. With walls signifying an area of diverse conditions rather than containing a climate – a manifestation of atmospheric boundaries. The conditions across the site vary according to the weather conditions which they are amplifying,

Activity inhabits places of comfort which change throughout the day, as a result of shelter, humidity, shade and temperature conditions; a curated meteorological landscape.

 The most comfortable place to have coffee varies according to the weather conditions of the city:

Final thesis presentation

Background research and fieldwork

How do architects embrace the broader definition, and potential, of the weather. Beyond finite design conditions to the ephemeral and infinite possibilities.

Visualising the complexity and ephemeral nature of the weather to identify idiosyncrasies, relationships and atmospheric potential. 

As architects how do we consider the microclimates which surround built interventions, the public impact of private conditioned space, often reserved for the wealthy.

During the fieldwork studies I designed and built a 1:1 prototype to explore the environment of the city as an atmosphere, investigating the discontinuities in the climate of Antofagasta the project explores the humidity and how we define comfort, challenging assumptions that drive existing comfort metrics. 

Thesis program proposal