Hi, I’m Macie! (MArch 1)

After graduating from the University of Bath, I returned home to begin my masters at MSA. With a strong interest in sustainability and experimental design, I joined the SKN atelier, where I was first introduced to Withington Baths. By the end of the first semester, I had become deeply engaged with the project’s rich historical and social layers, and I was delighted to continue my involvement through MSA Live, building on the work and relationships developed earlier in the year.

During our first site visit, we began by exploring the baths independently, taking time to observe and experience the space as both visitors and Withington locals might. This initial walk-through allowed us to understand the complex circulation in and around the site.

We were then invited on a guided tour by a member of staff, who generously enriched our visit with historical insights and anecdotes. Her commentary helped us appreciate not only the architectural character of the baths but also its longstanding role within the community.

One of the highlights was the opportunity to go behind the scenes. We explored the basement level beneath the pools, gaining a deeper understanding of the building’s operational infrastructure. We also gathered in the courtyard (the proposed site for the new extension), where we began to imagine how much needed additional space might integrate with the existing fabric.

We were surprised by the building's diverse range of users: students attending a yoga class, young children taking part in early-years swimming lessons, and professionals making use of the co-working space. This inclusivity underscored the baths’ continued relevance, not simply as a leisure facility, but as a dynamic community hub.

During an initial meeting with our collaborator, we met Dave Payne, a Board Member at Withington Baths. Dave provided a detailed overview of the Baths’ history and outlined the broad range of possibilities we could explore through this project.

A key element of the brief he emphasised was the need for a new gym, to be delivered as an extension to the existing building. He encouraged us to think beyond a single-use addition, suggesting a mixed-use approach that could incorporate social housing, event spaces, and communal facilities, among other opportunities.

To help contextualise these ambitions, Dave shared previous design proposals, which ranged from modest two-storey interventions to more ambitious four- and five-storey schemes spanning the entire site.