Pneumatics

Bath, UK
Year: 2023

The purpose of this project was to explore the role of pneumatic structures in the modern world of sustainable, low carbon design. The project was split into three segments which build upon each other; Research, Fabrication, and Design. This project was seven weeks long and included the production of a pneumatic structures anthology which is to be published by Nottingham Trent University.

This design is heavily inspired by “Space Flowers” by Victor Lundy – the precedent I researched for the NTU anthology – and focuses on creating a temporary indoor space for an external thermal spa to be used during the winter months and harsher weather. The thermal spa here was designed to mimic the pneumatic form above and to be carved from local bath stone. It was also designed to sit within a theoretical spillwell, created in a future where Bath is at risk of flooding, allowing it to be multi-functional. The pools get warmer the closer to the bottom (and to the thermal spring) you get, and the steam created will help inflate the structure, decreasing the energy needed to keep it inflated. Valves in the pneumatic allow for the control of air pressure, releasing air into the atmosphere when needed.