Toorwatter: a wellness retreat that captures the stories of Toorwater, a natural hot spring in the Klein Karoo

Abstract

In the natural landscape of the Klein Karoo, narratives flow from the spring at Toorwater. The research question asks how the stories flowing from Toorwater can be translated into a wellness retreat that celebrates regionalist placemaking and sparks new stories? Previous examples in South Africa have illustrated the use of natural hot springs for resorts, while this design proposes using the natural hot spring as a wellness retreat, focusing on the therapeutic effect on physical and spiritual well-being. This proposal suggested buildings that focus on the natural landscape and narratives of place. The research question was approached through the exploration of local narratives and how to establish an appropriate architectural language in the Klein Karoo. This dissertation will provide a better understanding of how the narratives embedded in Toorwater can be told through architecture rooted in place.