The Art of Bathing at Alba Thermal Springs

Alba Thermal Springs & Spa on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula offers more than just geothermal bathing—it offers design as therapy.

Spanning 15 hectares of gently undulating land, the immersive wellness retreat is anchored by its sensitive architectural response to place, and nowhere is that more evident than in its bathroom and bathing spaces.

GALLERY  

Set within the former green wedge site, the project comprises 32 geothermal pools, bathing pavilions, and a central spa building that nestles organically into the coastal dune terrain. The bathrooms and wet areas—spread across private treatment suites, public changing zones, and intimate spa rooms—are sculptural yet understated, with every detail designed to evoke calm and connection.

A raw, honest material palette underpins the interior scheme. Curved concrete walls and floors flow seamlessly into bathing areas, enhanced by bronze glass, metallic finishes, and soft timber accents. Rounded windows and circular motifs echo the gentle rhythm of the natural environment, while large skylights draw sunlight deep into each space, creating a play of warmth and shadow that feels at once elemental and serene.

A standout feature is the sculptural spiral staircase rising from an indoor reflective pool, marking the transition from public zones to more secluded bathing experiences. Here, the bathrooms feel like carved sanctuaries—private and introspective, yet always grounded in their surroundings.

Natural textures continue throughout, with handmade Spanish brick tiles and tactile references to the local flora and coastline—think bottlebrush seed pods and eucalyptus gum nuts—quietly integrated into joinery and wall features. The tonal palette and subtle materiality create a spa experience that feels grounded, not staged.

Alba’s bathrooms and spas are not just functional; they’re a design gesture—an invitation to slow down, reconnect, and breathe. In a region known for its natural beauty, this spa doesn’t compete with its surroundings. Instead, it becomes part of them.

Images by Willem Dirk Du Toit via ArchDaily

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