An innovative mobile off-grid floating bathhouse navigates London’s canals
Badweather, an architecture collective, has ingeniously transformed a 17-meter canal boat into Soak, London’s first off-grid floating bathhouse, which relocates every two weeks along the city’s waterways.
Soak is a blend of wood-fired sauna, cold plunge pools, showers, changing facilities, and a cozy bar, accommodating up to 12 people. It operates independently of mains utilities, drawing water directly from the canal, filtering it through a six-stage UV treatment system, and utilizing solar panels to power onboard batteries. The sauna is heated by a wood-fired stove, making it a quintessential off-grid experience.
Clever design fueled by collaboration in a unique bathhouse
Developed by Badweather co-founder Leo Sixsmith and restaurateur Riccardo Codacci-Pisanelli, the project aims to create a communal, nomadic bathing space. “The changing location of the boat means that the view through these windows is never the same,” Sixsmith shared with Dezeen about the bathhouse.
The journey began with a nearly derelict, 20-year-old canal boat, requiring extensive restoration from a team of around 40 people. The exterior was refreshed with cream paint and accented by black and red detailing. Circular portholes punctuate its sides, and the enlarged windows have fiery-red frames, continuing the charm of this unique concept.
A seamless interior experience
Visitors enter through a dark, marine-plywood lined area before moving to a bright plunge and shower room. This space features pale green tiles, stainless-steel pools, and a skylight. “The wet room’s clinical finish allows for easier maintenance while contrasting with the sauna’s warmth,” Sixsmith noted.
The sauna, crafted from Aspen and Alder wood, features a central wood-burning stove. Benches, suspended from aluminum beams, maximize space within the narrow hull, adding to the efficient design of the spa experience.
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Adaptive design overcoming constraints in the innovative boat
The boat’s tight dimensions presented a challenge, but Badweather saw it as an opportunity. “Every centimetre had to work exceptionally hard,” Sixsmith explained. Founded in 2019 by Oli Brenner, Sophie Mei Birkin, and Sixsmith, Badweather specializes in innovative architecture and design.
Their previous ventures include the Pipeline project, a floating communal hearth. Soak joins the ranks of notable bathhouses like those in Montreal and Tokyo, standing out as a pioneering example of off-grid innovation.
The photography is by Kaye Song.
Source: dezeen.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Soak, the floating bathhouse in London?
Soak is London’s first off-grid floating bathhouse, transforming a 17-meter canal boat into a mobile spa that includes a wood-fired sauna, cold plunge pools, showers, changing facilities, and a bar. It operates independently of mains utilities, relocating every two weeks along the city’s waterways.
How does the off-grid bathhouse source its water and power?
The bathhouse draws water directly from the canal and filters it through a six-stage UV treatment system. Solar panels power onboard batteries, ensuring the bathhouse operates independent of mains utilities.
Who developed the floating bathhouse project?
The project was developed by Badweather co-founder Leo Sixsmith and restaurateur Riccardo Codacci-Pisanelli. It involved a team of around 40 people to restore the nearly derelict, 20-year-old canal boat.