Succession: Revival at the Hot Wells
Abstract
The Hot Wells Bathhouse was once a bustling destination in the early 19th century, but a history of fires has left the historic site in a state of ruins. In its abandonment, nature began to reclaim the old building as its own"“ a process known as secondary succession. The ruins home a unique ecosystem that bridges the ecology of the San Antonio river with the primitive flora that have began dominating the crumbling walls of the old bathhouse. Functioning as a unique intersection between humanity and nature, it is a reminder of a forgotten history and a site of ecological reclamation. The duality of anthropology and ecology functions as a catalyst for program, which is proposed as a destination for locals and tourists alike. The abandoned Hot Wells must, then, maintain its ruinous form in an inhabitable fashion. It must acknowledge the ebb and flow of possession between people and nature. It must provide context of what it used to be, but should function in a manner that contributes to its community. Thus, the Hot Wells Culture & Ecology Center takes form. It becomes a destination that is discovered upon the river banks, with a landscape that shares the narrative of its past. It becomes a place to be explored, to learn about plants and people, and for a community to gather. The abandoned state of the ruins plays a part in a larger narrative where we may recognize what used to be while constructing something new.
Subject
Biophilic DesignArchitectural design
Historic preservation
Museum buildings
Greenhouses
Architecture--Environmental aspects
Landscape design
Texas--San Antonio
Department
ArchitectureCollections
Citation
Hendershot, Mia N. (2023). Succession: Revival at the Hot Wells. Master's thesis, Texas A & M University. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /200215.