Arabian Baths: Domes, Steam, and Light Through Perforations

A traditional steam bath, octagonal in plan, topped by a hemispherical dome. The dome is pierced with dozens of star-shaped and circular small holes, inlaid with colored glass. Light passes through these holes, forming visible columns of light in the steam and casting colored spots on the floor. The walls and floor are entirely made of warm, beige marble, polished to a soft sheen from long-term use. In the center is a circular hot stone platform raised 400mm, surrounded by niches and copper basins. The space is filled with steam, and visibility is low. Avoid: the dome being flat or modern in design, adding modern shower equipment, using tiles instead of stone, the space lacking steam.

Translated from Chinese by AI.

一間傳統形制的蒸氣浴室,平面是八角形,上方是一個半球形的圓頂,圓頂上鑿有數十個星形與圓形的小孔,鑲嵌彩色玻璃,光線透過孔洞在蒸氣中形成一道道可見的光柱,並在地面投出彩色的光點。牆與地坪全部是溫潤的米色大理石,經過長期使用已有柔和的光澤。中央是一塊抬高 400mm 的圓形熱石台,四周有壁龕與銅製的水盆。空間裡充滿蒸氣,能見度不高。避免:圓頂做成平頂或現代造型、加入現代的淋浴設備、使用磁磚代替石材、空間裡沒有蒸氣。