URBAN SPA

EN

Functionalism is a way of architectural designing in which the form materializes the function of the building. A change of use leaves therefore only a useless form, suffering under the burden of demands, forever unsatisfied. This is the story of the public spa in Zábrdovice, Brno, Czech Republic, an architectural gem now constrained by seasonal operation and a deteriorating state. Built by Bohuslav Fuchs in 1932 in an effort to increase the hygienic standard of residents, covers an area of ​​23,000 m² with steam and hot air baths, warm and cold swimming pools, an impressive entrance hall with multi-arm staircase, winter gardens and rooms for barbers and hairdressers as well as restaurants. Only recently, as the adjacent Nova Zbrojovka redevelopment area has broken ground, a new interest has risen to reactivate the functionalist masterpiece. ‘Once Again an Urban Spa’ is KOGAA’s reuse strategy of maintenance and adaptation of the facility. The respectful reconstruction on one hand maintains and accentuates the spa’s uniqueness in its functionalist relation with the maritime world and on the other hand adapts it into a new type of urban spa, fitting today’s market, lifestyle, as well as energetic and operational requirements. In order to reactivate the facility, a series of flexible and removable super-interventions would provide the missing contemporary functions, such as a lush greenery belt, sauna units, a renovated main lobby, and rooftop whirlpools. An archipelago of outdoor interventions include exercise areas, playgrounds, and various recreation activities. The historical value of the building and its interesting position has brought too many eyes on the prize leading to a loop of discussions and negotiations without decision making. A lack of know-how from the city on how to adapt historical buildings other than turning them to mono-functional static museums is a risk all such structures are having, and we can only hope that these days are over but it might be not yet for our Functionalist spa which future seems to become more of a ‘Once Upon a Time a Urban Spa’.