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AlmaVerde Spa Resort |
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AlmaVerde is a new development in a conservation area bordering a Natural Park in the Western Algarve, Portugal. Villas and apartments are set amongst mature landscape studded with oak, pine and carob trees. The proposed spa complex is at the heart of this new village. The ethos of the development is low environmental impact. The buildings are well insulated and unlike modern conventional Portuguese buildings have thermal mass in the form of traditional sun-baked clay adobe bricks. All rooms are naturally-lit and naturally-ventilated. Where possible air is pre-cooled underground, without needing air conditioning. AlmaVerde developed this technology within the "Thermie Coolhouse" project. Portugal bridges the Atlantic and Mediterranean climate zones and has a cool climate with hot days. By using materials with low embodied energy and high thermal mass the engineers have demonstrated the ability of AlmaVerde's external walls to absorb twice as much heat, compared with conventional Portuguese construction. Many spas are predominantly internal spaces, based on natural thermal springs deep underground. They are also seen as being relatively expensive and exclusive destinations. At AlmaVerde there is no natural reason for a spa apart from the client's interest in 'wellness' and lifestyle issues. The client also wanted to maintain the quality of the spa treatments on offer whilst taking advantage of the fact that in Portugal the cost of living is significantly cheaper than other parts of Europe so that the cost, but more particularly the benefits, of a spa break would be within more people's grasp. Therefore the design's primary objective is to provide an inclusive, inviting, outward looking building, which takes best advantage of Portugal's wonderful climate. Car parking (except for the disabled) will not be allowed near the building to maintain the rural setting, so the complex lies at the crossroads of AlmaVerde's pedestrian routes through the site. The indoor pool building separates the spa to the west from the more public conference suite, restaurants and outdoor pool to the east. However the pedestrian route is maintained with a dramatic fully glazed bridge over the indoor pool; this invites views into the pool area and thus encourages people to book time at the spa itself. The focal point of the spa will be the "Tepidarium", a speciality thermal suite including chakra massage rooms, aromatic steam baths, Byzantine mud cleansing baths, ceramic loungers and speciality hydrotherapy rooms. This double height space opens into a private, introspective garden which leads to a suite of external treatment rooms, allowing relaxing treatments to take place amongst the natural sounds and scents of the Algarve landscape. The slope of the site has been used to create a lower ground floor partly buried into the landscape. A landscaped ramp leads you to the sheltered heated outdoor pool at the lower ground floor level. Under the ramp is a grotto and the rocks extend into the pool with a waterfall above to link the pool area to the surrounding landscape. A poolside bar is on hand to provide welcome refreshment. The family changing area for the outdoor pool, a crèche and children's pool can be found close by. The building uses traditional materials with white walls and barrel-tiled roofs in a modern idiom. Stage D design was commenced October 2003. The cost estimate for the works is $5.5 million Euros (£3.9 million). (It should be noted that a similar sized, similar specification building built in the UK would cost at least double the money for the same architectural input!) Further information about AlmaVerde village and Spa can be obtained at www.Almaverde.com Client: AlmaVerde Village and Spa
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