Set on a 15-hectare site on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Alba Thermal Springs & Spa is a tourism venture with rejuvenation at its heart. The green wedge site is reimagined into an immersive bathing destination, comprising 32 geothermal pools, water features, restaurant and spa buildings.

Taking advantage of the natural fall in the land, the main building emerges from the terrain and is surrounded by 50,000 endemic plants collected from local seed. The raw concrete of the form is the material hero and the façade’s ribbed texture, bronze glass and metallic finishes add an of element of robustness to the natural surroundings.

The interior scheme is a continuity of raw, minimalist design. Simple forms and a circular motif are adopted throughout and articulated with curved walls, rounded windows and large skylights. A feature wall is clad in hand-made Spanish brick tiles, concrete pillars and flooring with touches of timber panelling, and elements of the native landscape are referenced in colour palettes.

Geothermal water is extracted from a natural spring 600 metres below ground and passes through a heat exchange, whereby excess heat is transferred to warm a closed-looped hydronic system for heating floors, seats and day beds.

In collaboration with MALA Landscape Architecture and Urban Design this is a holistic concept that honours the client’s long-term vision for a seamless connection between architecture and landscape.

Furniture: Michael Schiavello Furniture, Zuster Furniture, Pelle Leathers, Atkar, Laminex, Instyle. Lighting: Altitude Lighting, Euroluce, LiTEsource, Light Project, Lucian Light. Finishes: Ultimate Tiles, Bolon, Casearstone, Maharam, Dulux, Sculptform, Taranto Windows, Locker Group, Academy Tiles, Creative Bricks, New Age Veneers, Viridian, Modinex Group. Fittings & Fixtures: Signorino, Concrete Collective, Dekton, Novas Architectural, Tormax.

Photography: Willem Dirk du Toit