Aqua Dome Resort in the Mountains of Austria

The ‘Aqua Dome’, a resort located in the mountains of Austria, has been redeveloped using angular and tapered forms to reflect its mountains setting. Accommodating 350,000 visitors each year, the resort has been designed to be a distinctive landmark for the region, while simultaneously providing guests with a familiar alpine atmosphere. Externally, a conical volume connects three bowl-shaped pools which seem to levitate above the ground’s surface, featuring underwater music and various lighting effects. The jagged roofs of the observation deck echo the formation of the surrounding mountains in shape and materiality, with locally sourced stone used throughout the design. Further recreation space includes a more conventional 25 meter pool as well as separate facilities for younger children. In total, 2,200 square meters of aquatic amenities draw on filtered thermal water originating from a reservoir located 1,865 meters below ground. The use of wood and stone is continued internally, furnishing rooms in a manner befitting a high quality alpine retreat.