The new Ōpuke Thermal Pools complex in Methven takes visitors on a journey through a stunning new spa facility that enhances the jaw-dropping setting.

When Sheppard & Rout Architects won the concept design competition for a brand new thermal pools facility in Methven, it was an exciting prospect for the firm. The town is just over an hour outside of Christchurch and only half an hour from Mt Hutt ski fields, so it’s an ideal place to capture the après-ski crowd, and in summer the pools offer a destination in their own right.

But not only is a thermal pool complex a unique architectural proposition, the brief for this one was particularly unique, says architect Jasper van der Lingen.

“They had this strong vision for a hot pool facility that was high in quality. They didn’t want to necessarily compete directly with the Hamner Springs market, but to do something that's a bit more exclusive.”

For the pools this meant separating it into two areas: a family area where kids can splash and play, and an adult-only area – where grown-ups can soak up the atmosphere in peace, and even order drinks and food to enjoy while they bathe. This is a unique offering in New Zealand, and gaining a liquor licence for this purpose was a challenge, says Jasper.

“There was a bit of nervousness about serving alcohol in a hot pool facility, but they eventually got there, so you can have platters of food that float around on the water and drink some champagne while you're soaking, it's pretty cool.”

The building itself needed to emulate that same premium experience, with a wellness centre, cafe, sauna and spa an integral part of that package.

To enhance the experience, the entire complex was conceived as a journey through nature, emulating the context of the Canterbury Plains, as they meet the majestic Alps, and the braided rivers that wind down from the mountains to the sea.

“The naturally occurring geothermal mountain streams that you find in the Alps were used as inspiration for the journey that occurs as you move through the facility. The idea is as you drive across the country plains, you park in the car park and then as you enter, you feel like you're almost going into a gorge. So you're getting a little bit of feeling like you're going underground or into the land.”

The water features at the complex’s entrance enhance that feeling of water cutting through the walls of a mountain, and as you enter the building the entrance narrows, imitating the entrance to the Rakaia Gorge. As you wind through the building, it’s as if you’re taken down a river that spills out into the pools at the rear.

“We tried to make sure the journey was one-way so you don't double back on yourself. So you go into the changing areas, and you walk through and end up on the other side of the building into these hot pools, with the backdrop of the mountains framing them.”

The pristine natural environment dictated that sustainable materials were a must. The gabion walls at the entrance are filled with local stone from the area, and the concrete structure and floor is made with local aggregate.

The timber on the exterior is pine, sustainably grown and sourced from nearby Nelson, while parts of the cafe are clad in reclaimed timber.

The concrete floor does double work as a heat sink to generate thermal mass, and the high windows at the back on the north-facing elevation draw in the sun.

But one of the more significant aspects of sustainability in the project, is the way in which the pools are heated: by 480 solar thermal panels on the adjacent north-facing embankment – making it the biggest solar thermal system in the country.

It means the pools are heated using a sustainable energy source, and when there’s too much heat generated in the middle of summer, a large pond – which doubles as a landscape feature – soaks up the excessive heat, and shoots water up like a geyser.

These kinds of creative solutions were an exciting part of this unique project, says Jasper, and meant that the opening day for the complex was unlike any other project he’s ever seen come to fruition.

“I think the highlight was seeing that concept actually come to life, the idea of walking into this dark, slightly mysterious place and that journey to finding these hot pools at the other end.”

Of course, it was also one of the more memorable openings - taking a dip in the pools alongside the others who had been involved in the project, laughs Jasper.

“On the invite to the opening, it said: ‘Bring your togs!’”

Words: Jo Seton

Photography by Jason Mann