6. rituals in rock & clay

initiation

2019
b.sc. y3 s1

an underground ritualistic escape in the heart of valletta. the concept for this basement spa revolved around the grounding feeling of descending into the solid rock and the tantalising interaction between existing limestone and inserted concrete.

the spa ritual was envisioned in the following steps:
initiaion by undressing while slowly descending the spiral staircase
purifying by showering under stalactite like rocks with cleansing properties
grounding by experiencing a clay rub from an overflowing altar
a second purifying shower to remove clay
and finally soaking in a mineral water bath