Peninsula Hot Springs is the first natural hot springs and day spa centre in Victoria, Australia - a sprawling property with unexpected nooks and crannies hiding small springs, baths and plunge pools of mineral rich thermal water. The project is located in a dunal environment in the Mornington Peninsula, formed over thousands of years by wind and water. This process has resulted in a softly flowing and gently rhythmic landscape of protection and intimacy.

Coming up from the geothermal aquifer to feed the pools, or as rainfall collected from the roofs of the buildings to fill the lakes, water is the unifying living thread for the whole site. Tea Tree is recolonising the former pasture while thousands of planted Casuarinas and Banksias have begun to restore the area to the ancient character it had when the shifting sands stabilized.

Originally founded by brothers Charles & Richard Davidson and Norm Cleland, the inspiration for the project began when Charles visited several hot springs while living in Japan in 1992. This sparked off several years of touring and studying hot springs around the world. The first phase of the facility was opened in 2005 and in December 2009 the second stage Bath House centre was unveiled vastly increasing the number of bathing experiences and providing an area for children and families.

Gregory Burgess worked with the owners of the spring to develop a design in harmony with the environment, allowing visitors to feel that they are connecting with the natural world around them, including the bird and animal life that has returned to the site since the replanting of native flora. Gregory Burgess Architects (GBA) are renowned for their use of timber and the Peninsula Hot Springs building seems to emerge from the landscape in a way that rhymes with the rising up of the water from the earth.

Visitors to the Hot Springs come there to give themselves a more harmonious sense of their bodies, and this intention is helped by the way the building, the landscape, and the springs stage a reunion of nature and culture, emphasized by the use of timber, and the particular rough textures of the timber in the columns.

On arrival, a serpentine path winds through the dappled shade of dense Teatree along the edge of the carpark to an entry ramp and an elevated covered and screened timber walkway with changing vignettes of intimate corners and the wider landscape. This timber walkway takes visitors to the reception - a light-filled space with small retail corner, arching out into the landscape. Here a generous stair connects a quiet intermediate-level relaxation room with the lower foyer - a grotto-like space with stone floor and footbaths and shelters. Inside, access is gained to the main change rooms and out to the northern public bathing areas.

For the pavilion around the hot springs themselves, White Cypress has been used for the beams and framing. It is a durable timber with high termite resistance, making it ideal for structural applications. The combination of rough and smooth textures in the columns and cross beams creates resonances with the stone used for the paving and the Tea Tree and other flora that can be seen from the springs.

Important materials are warm timbers, such as Grey Ironbark and White Cypress pine, and stained ply, with colors resonating with the mood of the landscape and nature. In the change rooms, these materials are complemented by ceramic tiles along with small and precious inserts of more sumptuous woods, tiles and metals. Further, natural light is carefully modulated for contrast, mood and view.

A variety of species of timbers have been specified throughout the project with certified grey ironbark featuring in the floor boards and stairs and radiata pine being used for the roof, wall and floor framing. Additionally, certified white cypress pine and silvertop ash have been used for internal cladding and external wall cladding respectively whilst sugar gum makes its way into the external decking for the project.

With the venue meant as a refuge for relaxation and rejuvenation, the architectural intention is to support this by creating a harmonious and enchanting conversation between the landscape, water and buildings. This ensemble immerses the bather in a sensuous healing totality of body, mind and spirit.

Timber in its rich and living variety is a key intermediary here.

Project Details

Project Name: Peninsula Hot Springs Public Bath House
Architect: Gregory Burgess Pty Ltd Architects
Builder:  GMB Constructions (Vic) Pty Ltd
Joiner/Cabinet Maker:  Lifestyle Designs
Building Surveyor: Gardner Group Pty Ltd
Electrical Engineer: Jeffrey Green Building Services
ESD Consultant: Sustainable Built Environments Pty Ltd
Geotechnical Engineer: HardRock Geotechnic Pty Ltd
Hydraulics Engineer: Peter Tibballs & Associates Pty Ltd
Landscape Architect: Taylor Cullity Lethlean (SA)
Lighting Consultant: A T Lighting Pty Ltd
Quantity Surveyor: PlanCost Australia Pty Ltd
Quantity Surveyor: S J Foley & Associates
Structural Engineer: Felicetti Pty Ltd

© Timber Design & Technology 2012