Bathhouse in Lochau
This bathhouse in western Austria offers spectacular views of the Bay of Bregenz, Pfänder Mountain and the foothills of the Swiss Alps. A 42 metre long pier connects the structure to the shore. Resting atop the platform – which is supported by 30 columns – is a single-storey structure housing a glazed restaurant (whose terrace provides access to the sun deck), as well as changing rooms, showers and WCs. Wood plays the leading role: the columns, beams, horizontal cladding, floors and decks are all of the renewable resource. In a nod to sustainability the architects worked with untreated silver fir from nearby forests. The energy concept foresees heat-recovery and an air-to-air heat pump.
