Room with Memories

The Thermal Baths of Acconia di Curinga, located in Calabria, Italy, were once part of a grand monumental villa dating back to ancient Roman times. Today, it continues to draw visitors who seek rejuvenation amid its historic charm. However, its deteriorating condition calls for more effective strategies to protect and transform the site into a museum-quality experience.



Room with Memories seeks to introduce a subtle yet distinct design that uncovers the hidden memories of the ruin. By reclaiming and redefining the original rooms, the new intervention creates a compelling juxtaposition, enhancing the atmospheric qualities generated by the materials and the unique spatial character of the ancient thermal baths.



The most important sequence in the bathing process follows the progression from the tepidarium (warm room) to the caldarium (hot room) and then to the frigidarium (cold room). Two newly reclaimed volumes mark these distinct rooms, overlaying the historical caldarium and frigidarium spaces, while the original tepidarium remains untouched to preserve its floor.



The newly interpreted caldarium features a translucent floor, highlighting the iconic pillars that supported the hypocaust system—an ingenious heating technology invented by the Romans. In contrast, the reimagined frigidarium is enclosed by a translucent shell, celebrating both the room’s grandeur and its historical use as a place of worship after the thermal bath's destruction. This careful juxtaposition of old and new allows visitors to appreciate the history and atmospheric quality of the spaces while preserving their integrity.



A narrow, elevated walkway weaves through the ruins, connecting the three distinct rooms and transforming the archaeological site into an open-air museum. The sunken terrain, remaining structures, tall grasses, and picturesque agricultural fields collectively form a memorial landscape. The design respects this tranquil setting, gently inviting visitors to stroll through the Bath complex, glance downward at the ruins, gaze upward at the open sky, and appreciate the site from a distance.