Knot Springs // Skylab Architecture

Portland, OR, United States

Project Status: Built

Year: 2016

Size: 5000 sqft – 10,000 sqft

Text description provided by the architects.

Inspired by the natural hot springs of the Alvord Desert, Knot Springs is a wellness-focused social club situated within YARD on Portland’s Central Eastside.
The challenge of this endeavor was to balance the peaceful austerity of an oasis in the center of a high energy urban area.
To achieve this, the elevated YARD landscape and folded concrete structure ﬂow throughout the baths and gym represents a carved-out river embankment.

The spa opens up to the landscape, while the club spans both the 4th and 5th levels of YARD, allowing easy movement through a central open-air hallway.
Overall, Knot Springs’ palette draws inspiration from elemental materials, the pools of water and space are constructed of wood, glass, steel, and concrete.

Knot Springs walks the line.
It is both a sacred space for solo reﬂection, as well as a shared communal experience centered around health, wellness, and social connection..