In order to better understand bathing and the associated health benefits I decided to do some research into the topic. With any new project that I start I like to try and understand the background and the history, this allows me to make more informed decisions when it comes to the design process.
By definition Bathing is: the washing of the body with a liquid, usually water or an aqueous solution, or the immersion of the body in water. It may be practiced for personal hygiene, religious ritual or therapeutic purposes.
The cleaning of ones body is very much so personal experience, at least in western culture, this is a very private ritual that is conducted away from prying eyes.
In the past people did not have such luxuries as having your own bath and shower in your home was unheard of, this lead to the popularisation of communal bath houses, where people would go to not only bath but socialise. This was especially popular in the Roman era in which every town had its own bath complex.
In more recent times communal baths have become more leisure oriented, spas and public pools cater to this demand. As the process of washing ones self has become a much more private activity the general publics perception has altered.
AUT SPATIAL DESIGN 