Located near Egilsstaðir, the baths are shaped by geothermal springs rising from beneath the lake, forming ice-free openings known as vök (plural vakir). This natural phenomenon becomes the organizing principle of the project. Two floating pools extend directly into the lake, anchored lightly to minimize environmental impact while allowing bathers to experience the water in direct continuity with the surrounding landscape. Their form draws from the irregular, oval geometry of the openings, a motif that continues through the pools, decks, skylights and interior detailing.

The building is positioned at the water’s edge and partially embedded in the terrain, allowing the landscape to define both arrival and spatial sequence. Guests approach along a descending path and enter through a narrow incision in the land before the building opens toward the lake. This movement establishes a gradual transition from land to water, maintaining a constant visual and physical connection to the lake throughout the experience.

Geothermal water, measured at 71°C (160°F) and certified drinkable, underpins both the bathing experience and the building’s technical systems. It flows continuously through the pools before being reused for heating and other functions, and is ultimately returned to the lake, forming a circular system closely tied to the site.

Material choices reinforce this connection to place. Larch timber and concrete with regional aggregates create a restrained palette that reflects the tones and textures of the surrounding landscape, grounding the architecture in its specific geological and climatic context.