Hepburn Springs Bath House
Project
The redevelopment, designed by the firm Cox Architects and Planners, was to undertake alterations to the Bath House to increase the operating capacity while maintaining the cultural heritage of the original building and grounds. The works included building a new north wing housing a public mineral water bathing pool, spa, and salt pools, and the refurbishment of the original bath house to include relaxation, therapy and massage rooms.
Site
Located in the rural township of Hepburn Springs, the Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve is a public park which includes the Hepburn Mineral Springs Spa Complex. The 30 hectare site includes substantial parkland incorporating native vegetation regrowth and cultivated landscape gardens. The building complex includes the: Bath House (1895), Pavilion (1907), Kiosk (1939), Caretaker’s Cottage (early 20th century) and Sound Shell (1971). Several mineral springs on the site have been in public use for drinking and bathing since the late 1800s.
Challenge
The greatest challenge was to ensure the new development would provide a much needed economic boost to the Bath House operations, with flow on effects for regional tourism and employment. The historic buildings and grounds are as integral to the appeal of the Bath House for tourists as the therapeutic services provided within. The redevelopment would have to provide for quality new services while retaining the unique quality provided by the heritage buildings, gardens and bushland that differentiate the Bath House from other spa facilities in the region.
The site is on the Victorian Heritage Register but is also covered by a local planning policy clause for the protection of the mineral springs. Any new development could not impact upon the quality or quantity of water in the springs. This placed restrictions on the potential area of the development, to not adversely impact on recharge zones and to ensure the maintenance of significant trees and the open space generally. The redevelopment would have to creatively deal with the currently occupied space, or at the very least ensure the optimal retention of pervious surfaces for on-site storm water infiltration.
Solutions
The scale of the Bath House spa facilities had previously proven to be economically unsustainable. To address this, the improved and expanded services at the spa are targeted at the potential users. The new contemporary extension provides the much needed space to expand capacity and allowed the spaces within the original buildings to have their uses more clearly defined. The new extension has strong visual appeal and achieves cohesion through its sympathetic scale. The new extension is sited in a slightly larger footprint to the extension built in the 1991. As a two storey building, the extension considerably expands the capacity of the facility. The maintained and enhanced surrounding gardens and bushland create a soothing and relaxing ambience that is more appreciated in the new building with its improved views out across the site. Overall, redevelopment has improved the future economic viability of the existing and historic use of the buildings for health tourism and ensured the ongoing conservation of the park and mineral springs.
Lessons
The social and historic significance of the Hepburn Springs Bath House is entwined in its original use which, although still retained has undergone change in terms of increased diversity of services provided. To maintain a historic use, which in this case is a direct contributor to the cultural significance, it is sometimes necessary to accommodate a change in the fabric. At Hepburn Springs Bath House this change has been the extension and refurbishment of the original buildings and the loss of a significant tree. The changes have ensured that locals and visitors will be ‘taking the waters’ for many years to come.