The Architecture Foundation presents the Southwark Public Baths as part of London Festival of Architecture 2008
An exciting temporary lido, created by acclaimed French architecture collective EXYZT. Following in the tradition of Roman baths and Turkish hammams, which provided a setting for social gathering, ritual cleansing and uninhibited political discussions, the Southwark Public Baths hosted a variety of activities in an unusual, architecturally innovative environment.
Within a futuristic low-tech complex, visitors of all ages enjoy the refreshing spray of the water deck, or sweat it out in a mobile sauna. The all project include a paddling pool for children; beach huts doubling as changing rooms and living pods for staff; a sun deck; and a bar operated by east London restaurant Bistrotheque. A colourful mobile garden was after created on-site in collaboration with Bankside Open Spaces Trust.
The Southwark Lido is an expression of EXYZT’s strategy of urban renewal, based on the idea that the emergence of a community of users taking active part in creating and inhabiting their urban environment is key to generating a vibrant city. This project explores the potential of using a site in transition to create a vibrant node of community and cultural engagement during it’s transformation from empty lot to new residential and office buildings. The installation will see than the organisers forming links with the local community and specific groups, and provide those networks with a new place to hold events and share their work.
During this summer the collective EXYZT is going to build another project there, The reUNION Public House London 2012.
Stay tuned!
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Southwark Lido
The Architecture Foundation presents the Southwark Public Baths as part of London Festival of Architecture 2008
An exciting temporary lido, created by acclaimed French architecture collective EXYZT. Following in the tradition of Roman baths and Turkish hammams, which provided a setting for social gathering, ritual cleansing and uninhibited political discussions, the Southwark Public Baths hosted a variety of activities in an unusual, architecturally innovative environment.
Within a futuristic low-tech complex, visitors of all ages enjoy the refreshing spray of the water deck, or sweat it out in a mobile sauna. The all project include a paddling pool for children; beach huts doubling as changing rooms and living pods for staff; a sun deck; and a bar operated by east London restaurant Bistrotheque. A colourful mobile garden was after created on-site in collaboration with Bankside Open Spaces Trust.
The Southwark Lido is an expression of EXYZT’s strategy of urban renewal, based on the idea that the emergence of a community of users taking active part in creating and inhabiting their urban environment is key to generating a vibrant city. This project explores the potential of using a site in transition to create a vibrant node of community and cultural engagement during it’s transformation from empty lot to new residential and office buildings. The installation will see than the organisers forming links with the local community and specific groups, and provide those networks with a new place to hold events and share their work.
During this summer the collective EXYZT is going to build another project there, The reUNION Public House London 2012.
Stay tuned!