Soak, a Bathhouse
Redefining Wellness Through Ritual, Community, and Sustainability with an Anti-Spa Ethos.
Role: Project manager and designer, in collaboration with Haas Architecture.
Client: Private client.
In the news: Treehugger, 7x7, Architizer, Dezeen
SOAK was designed as a modular, self-contained spa concept, offering a dynamic space for personal wellness and social gatherings. With its unique anti-spa ethos, SOAK bridged ancient traditions of ritual ablutions with a contemporary approach to wellness—transforming “soaking” into a shared, experiential practice.
Constructed from repurposed shipping containers, the design challenged conventional ideas of luxury and wellness. By rethinking both material reuse and cultural rituals, SOAK posed a critical question: what is wellness today?
The project also aimed to set a new precedent for sustainability in the spa industry, pursuing Net-Zero Energy and Zero Water goals. Water was intercepted from San Francisco’s Mission Bay Greenbelt, heated via a biomass boiler, treated with mild salt, UV, and oxygen, then cycled through the soaking system. After filtration, the water was redirected to irrigate the park and the site’s permanent gardens, closing the loop between human wellness and ecological health.
Illustration provided by Mission Bay Commons.
Water distribution diagram with consultation from Hyphae Design.
Through multiple design iterations, the team prioritized both comfort and community. Long containers were placed strategically along the site’s edge, shielding the space from prevailing winds and eliminating the need for fencing. This gesture created a communal courtyard—a protected, open-air gathering space where individual and collective well-being could merge.
SOAK ultimately redefined the spa as a sustainable, inclusive, and cultural experience, blurring the boundaries between architecture, ecology, and social life.
The Onsen Tub
The Turrell Tub
The Roman Tub
The Onsen tub is 18” deep and fits a large group of 6-8 people. It has a large marble perimeter to allow for laying down.
The Roman tub is 3’ deep and fits a large group of 6-8 people. Made out of concrete, it is situated in the garden letting nature envelop it.
The Turrell tub is 3’ deep and fits a smaller group of 4-6 people. It has a 10’ open skylight above it for dramatic natural lighting with a perimeter wide enough to lay on.
