Echoes of the Sea

Abstract

As Peter Zumthor argues, when a building is loved, it acquires a kind of presence and becomes part of our emotional world. In contemporary society, spirituality is no longer confined to religion but often found in nature and in the quiet moments that allow us to reconnect with ourselves. This thesis explores the possibility of making architecture an intermedia between nature and human. This concept intends to break the functionalism framework and instead responds to the emotional and spiritual needs of users. The project proposes the design of a cold bathhouse on Öckerö Island, west of Gothenburg. Situated on a former recycling shoreline, the site offers dramatic rock landscapes, frame sea views, and exposure to natural forces such as wind, light, and tide. Through a site based approach, the design seeks to transform this harsh environment into a place of calmness, reflection, and sensory awareness. By exploring the relationship between body, material, and landscape, the thesis aims to create an architecture that offers a unique spatial experience rooted in the human encounter with nature and the elements.