Spa(in) Chicago – Spa & Healthcare Center (Chicago, USA)
Illinois Institute of Technology – 2002 – 2003 – Master Thesis
Author: Sara Jimenez
Located in the North Branch of Chicago River, the project is meant to be a transition that serves both the city (access, public square and main volume) and the river (swimming pools and beach area). These two different scenarios (city and river) are unified by a stepped concrete podium, that saves the height difference between the city and the water, an important given fact.
Internally the space is organized around a centered 5-level lobby that has his own character, connects the different parts of the program, serves as a public space for interaction and brings natural light through its ceiling. Four vertical communication cores in the corners of the lobby join the city with the swimming pool area.