architects extend a modernist hotel with a transparent spa pavilion in south tyrol

the ‘badehaus’ project brought a spa pavilion with whirlpool, finnish sauna, steam bath and outdoor pool to complement the unique seehotel ambach ensemble at lake caldaro, south tyrol, italy. to extend the facilities of this inspirational 1970s hotel, a contemporary recreational landscape has been added at the lake shore. the project was entrusted to walter angonese and flaim prünster architekten, who selected styles and materials from that period, adapted and reinterpreted them into modern architecture.

the badehaus with outdoor swimming pool, embedded in the biotope park of the 1970s hotel
photo by helmuth rier

the hotel architect othmar barth’s conceptual purism is repeated in the european tradition of the garden pavilion. unpretentiously single-storied, as if on stilts, the badehaus levitates above the landscape, giving the illusion of a boat reaching the lake shore. the 250 square meters spa with loggia unfolds to the rear of the park, extending to the scattered orchard. its three wings point in three directions: the hotel, the lake, and the mountains.

the pool
photo by helmuth rier

for construction materials, apart from the transparent glass façades, a more transient equivalent of the concrete from the hotel building is used — wood. great care has been taken in selecting the material, which has been finely sanded and oiled; to resemble the finished timber used in shipbuilding. the dark tones of the badehaus contrast the seehotel’s limpid whiteness. 

the heated swimming pool is embedded into the garden and connects the spa with the hotel building
photo by helmuth rier

the hotel’s biotope park with relax area and an outdoor pool
photo by helmuth rier

relaxation area
this and all the following photos by paolo riolzi

relaxation area

the patio with whirlpool

the finnish sauna with its round window

the four pentagonal rooms contain steam bath, finnish sauna, rain room and restrooms

the steam bath symbolizes the southern health culture

the rain room in place of traditional showers

the site plan

project info:

architects: walter angonese and flaim prünster architekten

location: seehotel ambach, south tyrol, italy

photography: helmuth rier and paolo riolzi

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: maria erman | designboom