Bodily Aberrations- The Anatomical Bath House

This project asks one to suspend their beliefs and delve into sublime unreality begging the question, what if architecture could be a fleshy body? An autonomous body with hair, pimples, stretch marks, flab and the inner workings like our own bodies. A body capable of physiological responses such as blushing, getting goosebumps, sweating, and excreting- capable of growing and metastasizing. This project allows inhabitants to be liberated as they encounter this fleshy architecture.  

Situated in Schaerbeek in Brussels – the project site is divided, with the red-light district on one street and a Muslim community along the other. With the program of a bath house and future café, the architecture seeks to connect women who dwell in the neighborhood together, as many of them currently live and work separate from each other, avoiding interaction. The architecture needs fuel and energy, waste management, and will continue to grow on the site. The growth of the fleshy body will host future projects such as the café. The program provides for Muslim women to engage in ritual bathing and prayer, and for any woman to relax, bathe, chit-chat, and connect to their bodies and each other.

Site From Above

The site for this project bridges the gap between the two communities in the area, and relies on some surrounding buildings for structural support, like a body would sitting on a piece of furniture.

X-Ray of the Body, Ground Level, and Upper Level

An x-ray taken of the fleshy architectural body reveals the different spaces that can be inhabited.

Section of Bodily Architecture

The section highlights the relationships between the spaces inside the fleshy body, and how women can interact with one another through these spaces.

Bodily Showers in Use 

Showers contain hanging bladders that hold water for the body, and contribute to a womb-like presence in the space.

Bidet Space

As an emotional response, the body blushes when bidets and showers are in use- the walls turning a brighter pink hue.