WELLNESS CENTER
The Cranbrook Wellness Center proposes a comprehensive design solution within a complex and multidimensional setting. Situated along the primary green promenade of the Cranbrook campus—anchored by the Art Museum at one end and the Natatorium at the other—the building naturally integrates into this dynamic environment. Flanking the Natatorium, it strengthens the connection between the two recreational facilities.
Partially sunken into the landscape, the building preserves unobstructed views along the promenade while benefiting from increased thermal mass. Though its exterior presents a simple, Cartesian volume, the interior is complex. A diagonal axis runs through the space, extending from the entrance to a nearby lake, forming a contemplative bridge that unifies the project’s elements—seamlessly connecting the man-made and the natural.
bay model
level 2 plan
montage
The façade of the building is designed to conform to the overall scale of the surrounding buildings and a nearby pine forest. The design consists of vertically elongated planks, the geometry of which is generated computationally. The achieved complex rhythm of varying widths and thicknesses creates a visually active texture on the facade, thus breaking down the monolithic nature of the structure
form diagram
The wooden façade forms an outer coating of the multilayered skin of the building. It is designed to be partially translucent or transparent, depending on the needs of the occupants. The facade also preserves thermal comfort by deploying pillows that contain extruded white polyethylene strands which serve
as insulation.
as insulation.
sauna interior rendering
site model
