Hanusch Therapiebad

The Hanusch therapy pool was planned as a showpiece for health resorts in the field of health rehabilitation and prevention. The Kurhaus Ferdinand Hanusch looks back on a long history of healing war invalids in Bad Hofgastein. The therapy pool and adjoining therapy rooms are now used by the railway and mining insurance company. As one of the smallest but leading health centers, the Hanusch therapy pool stands for unique therapy options. The room presents itself away from the usual infrastructure and possibilities. Due to the additive light balance, progress in the healing of patients can be implemented more quickly.

The specified short construction time of 6 months and the spatial opening of the bath through large glazing indicated the need for a light and effective construction. This could only be achieved through a hybrid construction. Therefore, stiffening wall parts were built in solid construction. All other components including the ceiling were made of wood. Above all, the high degree of prefabrication and the quick assembly were decisive for the building material wood. In addition, details that would otherwise have been difficult to solve in terms of heat technology could be implemented more easily. Due to the flexible adaptability, it was possible to keep the ventilation ducts concealed. The required organic incisions, which are decisive for the exposure and lighting, could be carried out as planned. Not only were the wall and ceiling constructions made of wood, the insulation was also made of wood fiber panels and blown-in wood fibers. Many of the details developed with the building physicist of the complex internal vapor barrier were implemented with great precision in order to prevent moisture damage.

Particular attention was paid to the sculptural character. The therapy pool should clearly mark the entrance to the center. Visual relationships to the church and the adjacent park were key considerations in the design of the building and contribute to the interaction between users and passers-by.

For this project we were awarded the American Architecture Prize in 2017 as a winner in the Architectural Design / Healthcare Architecture category.