Lefkadia Bathhouse & Wellness Center
Lefkadia Winery, Krymsky District, Krasnodar Region, Russia
Year: 2021
Context
At the lowest point of the Lefkadia winery valley lies a large reservoir designed for water storage. Within this pond, a small island forms a natural focal point in the landscape.
The bathhouse and wellness center was designed on this island as a secluded retreat for guests of both the hotel and the winery complex. The location creates a unique spatial experience: the building is surrounded by water, landscape, and open sky, reinforcing the ritualistic and restorative character of the program.
Design Approach
The architectural concept is structured around a clear functional separation into two principal levels:
- Ground level — “wet zone”
The lower level is constructed using traditional masonry techniques — insulated brick walls combined with timber floor structures — providing durability and moisture resistance.
The upper level is built from massive cedar profiled timber, creating a warm, aromatic, and tactile atmosphere appropriate for relaxation spaces.
Two additional sauna structures are attached to the main volume:
- A traditional Russian steam room built from hand-cut cedar logs
- A Scythian clay steam chamber, formed as a semicircular earthen dome using rammed clay construction
This combination of materials and typologies creates a layered interpretation of bathing traditions — from Slavic to ancient steppe cultures.
Spatial OrganizationEntrance Sequence
- Two changing rooms (male and female), each with private sanitary facilities
- Capacity: 10 persons per changing room
From the entrance zone, visitors access a shared common room featuring:
- Staircase to the second level
Ground Floor – Wet Zone
The first level includes:
- Spa area with multiple experiential showers
- Indoor thermal pool integrated into the building with an outdoor swim-out section
- Access to two steam rooms:
- Scythian clay dome steam room
The spatial arrangement ensures a fluid circulation sequence between thermal, water, and relaxation zones.
Second Floor – Dry Zone
The upper level accommodates:
- Hayloft relaxation space (senoval)
The cedar structure enhances the sensory atmosphere through texture, scent, and natural acoustic properties.
Structural System
- Ground floor: insulated brick masonry walls
- Second floor: massive cedar profiled timber construction
- Roof: timber structural frame
The hybrid structural system combines masonry durability in wet areas with the wellness-oriented qualities of cedar in dry spaces.
Architectural Expression
The building balances mass and lightness — a grounded masonry base anchored to the island, supporting a warm timber volume above.
The adjacent log and clay steam structures create a sculptural composition, reinforcing the cultural and ritual dimension of the bathhouse.