This thesis concers the design of thermal baths in the region Therma of the island Ikaria.In recent years, Ikaria has become a major tourist destination for therapeutic and thermalistic purposes. Many people visit its famous hot springs, combining healing and rejuvenation, as its hot springs are considered among the most radioactive in the world. The aim of the study is the development and promotion of the local hot springs, the springs Apollo and Spilaio.
Our propsosal concerns the joining of the two springs in one common facility. The location evolves around our key finding, the cave in Therma in which superheated thermal water is spurted. The selection of Therma is due to two reasons. First, the proximity of the buildingĀ to the springs facilitates the channeling of water inside the building. Furthermore, the small coastal village relies its prosperity largely to the hot springs, so building the baths there aims at its further growth.
With the purpose of allowing the visitor to experience our baths to the fullest, we propose a route divided into four stages: cleansing / baths / relaxation / dining, which highlights our program. Therefore, the premises contain a natural hammam,a scrub room, showers, a central pool, a hot tub with water from the Spilaio spring, a cold plunge pool, bathtubs containing water from the Apollo sping and massage and relaxation rooms.
The baths are connected via a bridge with a building on the other side of the cave, the first floor of which allows internal access to the visitors of the baths and offers healty cuisine, while the second floor works as a cafeteria open to everyone and is joined with the roof of the baths, where a shallow pool is located 'dug' into the rock, allowing also free access.