Healing stone

Photos: Constantin Meyer, Cologne

This article appeared in colore 19 #grassgreen

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For the new Alexbad community health center in Bad Alexandersbad, the architects at Brückner & Brückner went on an emotional journey. From "spheroidal weathering" to scattered shards of granite, the architects took their inspiration from nature, holding it up as an example.

Bad Alexandersbad in the Fichtel Mountains is the smallest spa in Bavaria. This place grew around a healing spring, and expectations of it were far from spectacular. But that couldn't be further from the truth. With the Alexbad, the architects at Brückner & Brückner, with offices in Würzburg and nearby Tirschenreuth, have managed to create a modern new building, which soothes and steps away from the conventional architecture used in spas.

Deliberately designed around nature, the annex slots into the surrounding landscape as if it were part of it. It is connected to the existing, listed spa via a glass structure, consciously choosing to enhance a functional, medicinal ambience.

Instead, spa guests at the Alexbad savor a contemplative atmosphere, in spaces shaped around cubic and asymmetric forms, corresponding to the conventional geography of the surrounding landscape. The interior and exterior merge, becoming one, through a trilogy of glass joins, high-quality, sustainable materials, as well as metallic, sparkling surfaces, all of which draw upon the granite characteristic of the region.

The special coating on the walls really comes into its own here. Coupled with the light-colored oak furniture and the fire, the result is a room that creates a feeling of security, where one can really retreat.

Stephanie Sauer, of Brückner & Brückner architects, on her favorite room in the Alexbad

A nod to nature, via materials, shapes, and surfaces

Naturally, the building is functionally equipped to the very latest standards, but predominantly addresses a sensory level with architectural reminiscences of forests, fens, and fields. "Alongside the purely technical side of things, generating emotion is usually the main goal of our projects," says Stephanie Sauer, who led the project for Brückner & Brückner. "A building actually only has added value the moment that feeling comes into play."

This is a particular request, that required a highly unusual approach: First of all, the architects set out on an emotional journey, collating and defining feelings and associations that the architecture would aim to express.

This was how the spheroidal weathering model came about in Bad Alexandersbad, a stone formation typical of the area, which looks like stacked cushions – or perhaps wool sacks. "When it comes to bringing the architecture to life, we mostly use means such as windows, cut-throughs, materials, shapes, and surfaces," summarizes the architect.

In the interior spaces, the walls were developed with roughened surfaces and bronzed metallic structures, among other things. "This made it possible for us to let the room flow from the inside out," describes Stephanie Sauer. "When doing so, it was particularly important to us that the materials retained their natural authenticity."

In terms of colors, the architects chose to limit themselves to two principal tones: Blue, for the water and the sky, and earthy, warm, sandy shades. When asked about her favorite space in the Alexbad spa, the architect refers to the relaxation room, with centrally positioned brazier.

Project data

OBJECT | SITE Alexbad, Bad Alexandersbad
OWNER | USER The Bad Alexandersbad municipality
ARCHITECT Brückner & Brückner Architekten GmbH, Tirschenreuth | Würzburg
TECHNICAL CONSULTANT Daniel Wendler, Brillux Würzburg
COMMISSIONED PAINTING CONTRACTORS Josef + Winfried Friedmann Kirchenrestaurierungs GmbH, Scheßlitz