Hot Spring Colonnade, Carlsbad

Diploma Project

Studio Redčenkov & Danda                                                             

Faculty of architecture CTU in Prague, 2018

The area around the biggest hot spring in a famous UNESCO spa town Carlsbad had many different forms in the last two centuries. The first colonnade in this place was built at the beginning of the 19th century, and the last and the most controversial transformation of this site happened in the '70s of the 20th century. The main purpose of the building is to create a representative public space around the Hot Spring, which is the largest spring in Carlsbad and the Czech Republic.

The footprint of linear volume connects two important town squares. The Hot Spring stays in its former position below the church. Above the spring, there is a high volume which creates an indoor public space. The dimensions of the space are based on the golden ratio. The shape of an open pillar corridor follows the shape of the river's edge. The colonnade defines a new promenade by the river. Below the spring, on the underground floor, is a spa with a large pool, hydrotherapy tubs, and saunas. The space is open to the river through the waterfront wall.

The material solution is inspired by Hot Spring mineral that originates due to mineralized thermal water of the Hot Spring. The principle of mineral coloration is transferred to the colouring of the concrete structure with an iron pigment.