Joa Carpentry

Bath Parti Diagram

A well-designed bath, once experienced, should leave a deep and meaningful impression in the minds of its patrons. It should stand as a sanctuary whose presence is felt by the community, a refuge that provides an antidote to the stresses of daily life.

Approaching the bath from a distance on a cold winter’s day in Manitoba, we can start to see its southern roofscapes radiate in the sunlight like autumn leaves. Winding slightly and irregular on its lot, the complex has lifelike qualities. It is as though we are walking towards a living form with which we are about to meet.

The site, situated just north of a city park, is protected on three sides by large oaks and cottonwoods, with a few spruce to the north. As we prepare to cross the street adjacent to the south facade, we can start to peer through the roof panels’ glow to reveal glimpses of heavy internal columns of concrete. These structures seem to rise in a winding pattern towards a rammed-earth core. We begin to feel the power of the baths drawing us in. Focusing our gaze on the northern structures now, we see openings in the heavy mass walls revealing an upper-level restaurant.

The bath’s eastern entrance reaches out to meet us with a vestibule, allowing a quick escape from the winter’s cold. There is an identical entrance to the west. Once inside the reception area, our attention shifts to the warm aromas of mineral baths and the dense weight of rammed-earth walls. The space embraces us as we look across high ceilings and notice the rising columns of the exterior continuing their way up through a space created by the second floor mezzanine. The columns remind us of the enticing exterior view and the baths that lie ahead. To our right we notice a large staircase leading to the second floor restaurant.

People filter through the entrance area; some are exiting the baths and making their way up to the restaurant, while others arrive to register at the reception desk. We place our boots on a rack and head to our left, entering the changerooms with a keycard.

The changeroom contains rows of lockers with long benches spaced between them. These rows provide some privacy while storing away our clothing. We grab a clean towel and some bathing trunks and head to the showers running parallel. Exiting in the opposite direction from which we came, we are finally confronted with the baths.

Warmed by the steam of the baths, we notice the path ahead, which meanders through a gridwork of options. We see the garden-wall on our right ascending the curvature of the columns to reach glowing roof panels high above. We hear trickling water pouring from spigots and low vibrations of small talk among bathers. Entering the first of the baths, our moment of stillness has arrived.

People enter a bath with an expectation of calm. Time spent at the bath is cherished as it is the one moment of our day or week where we can be truly relaxed. However, it is also a gathering place; when a person enters the bath, they enter a space of understanding and acceptance. A space where we collectively let down some of our armor while simultaneously altering our moods.