This project reimagines the future of wellness architecture not as fixed, but as living: a form shaped by water, decay, and regrowth. Situated along the River Ouse in York, the building emerges from a flood-prone, post-industrial site, long neglected and reclaimed by nature. In this environment, moss began to grow, a subtle, defiant return of life. That moss, with its entropic spread and soft resilience, became the key inspiration for the building’s geometry, growth, and architectural language.

The project celebrates the act of communal bathing. From the ancient ritual of Roman Bathing reframed through contemporary biophilic design. Wellness here is not commodified but rewilded. The proposal introduces a series of sensory spaces: from the stillness of the frigidarium to the vibrant energy of the tepidarium and the contemplative calm of the yoga sanctuary. Outdoor bathing pools filtered by aquatic plants offer a reconnection to the natural cycles of water, while floating wetlands regenerate biodiversity along the urban riverbank.

The building’s bio-receptive concrete façade are not just a container but a living skin, encouraging moss growth and enhanced biophilia. Light, atmosphere, and materiality are carefully orchestrated to immerse users in a space of reflection and restoration.

More than a place for refection, this is a civic retreat — a wellness sanctuary embedded within York’s urban fabric. It provides a moment of pause, a deep breath, and a communal space where body, mind, and environment are nourished together. This project proposes that the future of sports architecture lies not in spectacle, but in slowness, softness, and symbiosis — a building that listens, responds, and grows.