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The
Watsu School at Harbin Hot Springs
Middletown, California USA
info@wabu.edu
  
  
Owner: Mr. Harold Dull, Director
Location: Middletown, California USA
Date: 1992 to 1996, will be completed this year.
Cost: $4,500,000
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
On a majestic hillside
overlooking the forested ravine and mountains of northern California
sits a most unusual building. It is a special school of massage that
is performed in water. Harold Dull, the inventor of this system, has
built a school which features five 81/2 meter to 10 meter diameter spheres
formed in wood and sheathed in stucco cement and waterproof vinyl composite.
A waterfall seemingly connects two outdoor pools, with a cave behind
it. The spheres contain classrooms, commercial kitchen, and offices,
sleeping quarters, residential quarters and a three-story studio. Fireproofing
is created by a series of outdoor sprinklers at the center roof of each
sphere. In case of fire the spheres are immediately immersed in water
becoming impenetrable to fire. At the base of each sphere is a water
trough of moving cold water that naturally cools the air around the
sphere. Small tubular openings contain solar-powered fans that draw
the water-cooled air in and push hot air out the roof top openings;
creating a natural, continuous air exchange system. Recycled paper pulp
mixed with water-based glue is sprayed into the open structural cavities
of the walls to provide excellent insulation. The spherical shape--minimizing
surface area while maximizing volume covered and structural strength--has
proven itself to maintain a cool interior temperature even when the
outside temperature reaches beyond 42 degrees Celsius and even without
the insulation put in. The spherical shapes also activate wind flow
to further cool the buildings. They are also extremely durable and stable;
easily able to resist earthquake forces acting upon them. In fact, it
has been proven that the sphere is the strongest most efficient shape
in the universe. Every detail of the building is unique including the
stone retaining walls in which the rocks seem to grow straight out of
the wall with brilliant glass marbles placed between the stones. The
floors too are made of silver quartzite flagstone with flattened glass
marbles of iridescent and transparent quality shimmering in the floors.
This is a one-of-a-kind building open to public tours and visited by
millions of persons from around the world.
Construction Materials:
Native boulders and stone, Madrone, Birch, Douglas Fir and Redwood(dome
structures), glass, Polygal, spray-on cellulose, spray-on concrete,
acrylic waterproofing, galvanized steel pipe, waterproof nylon and ceramic
tile.
Special Features: Five 3/4 spheres with two spacious levels in
each; spheres are extremely strong and efficient--excellent for use
in this earthquake and landslide area. All five spheres can be built
in two weeks time and be ready for assembly prior to issuance of the
building permit; the building faces predominantly north--away from the
sun for insulative purposes in this very hot climate; solar-powered
ceiling fans in every sphere create a continuous circulation of fresh
air that is drawn in over a series of water-cooled troughs at ground
floor level; Spray-on cellulose is used as both inner wall insulation
and interior wall finishing providing very good acoustic insulation
as well; opening windows provide natural, economical cross-ventilation
for temperature control; all stair areas are simultaneously used for
equipment storage; vegetation is used to control solar gain adapting
to summer and winter climatic changes; an exterior sprinkler system
over every sphere can be manually activated in case of fire or extreme
heat rendering the building virtually fireproof; passive solar glass
tubes provide hot water throughout the building; on-site boulders and
rocks are used as barriers to keep large animals away.
  
  
  
General Background: Mr. Harold Dull is the inventor of a new
form of therapeutic massage called, Watsu. It is administered in a
pool or large body of water and utilizes stretching and shiatsu techniques
in a weightless, aquatic environment. A pool of water is essential
to the therapy. In the summer of 1991 one of our intern architects
was learning the techniques of Watsu from Mr. Dull when, during the
course of casual conversation, Mr. Dull mentioned that he had a vision
of a school for Watsu that should be like no other building in the
world. The intern suggested Mr. Dull contact us to discuss various
ideas and possibilities.
When Harold Dull came for his visit he was visibly delighted with
what he saw in our office and we talked further about the kinds of
uses he envisioned. The nature of the site was crucial to understanding
the limitations of the design. After spending three days at the site
making note of the soil qualities, the sun movement, the climatic
and panoramic qualities, the challenges of the project began to become
clear.
Earthquakes and soil slides loomed as destructive occurrences. The
heat, normally around 90 to 100 degrees eight months a year was another
challenge. The south-facing slope of the site overlooks a beautiful,
tree-lined valley with green mountains rising beyond. Fire ever threatens
the site and being uphill the air currents would potentially fan the
flames of any burning object.
Taking these many hazards into account the building required structural
qualities and features that effectively addressed these hazards. Thus,
the character of the building must be based upon a structural system
that was rigid enough to disperse earthquake shaking yet be economical
in its use of materials and subsequent enclosure of space. Geodesics
came into view here as they are inherently strong, lightweight, economical--using
1/3 less materials to cover the same amount of volume as a box of
equal size. Because the dome shape also minimizes the amount of surface
area it means less heat build-up from the intense sun. The shape also
lets water fall evenly around itself creating a cooling feature consistent
with its form. Geodesics also provides an aerodynamic efficiency suited
to this hillside site.
View of the Watsu School at night.
The final constructed design was developed in response to Mr. Harold
Dull's desire to give each functional area more privacy instead of
being grouped together. To achieve this meant creating a series of
structures in close proximity to each other. Again, geodesics seemed
to be an intelligent choice for a structural system. Taking into account
economy and structural strength we decided to use the geodesic sphere
as a basis for enclosed volume. The framing struts of the spheres
could be cut before the construction permits were issued saving even
more time. The five 3/4 spheres can be framed and sheathed in two
weeks. The bottom half of the sphere is attached to a concrete ring
apron, which makes the structure itself work as an integrated unit
dispersing omnidirectional stress and strain forces. An added benefit
are the aerodynamic characteristics of the sphere. It is an excellent
form for wind creating relatively little turbulence on its surface.
Inside insulation is provided by a honeycomb, prefabricated paneling
system called Hexcel, . This paneling is cut into triangular shapes
suited to the unit cells of the geodesic spheres and clipped into
place. The R-values are in excess of R-24 and the panels are inflammable
and do not lose strength when immersed in water and dried. They are
also termite-proof. The panels provide a one-step construction process
of structure, sheathing, insulation and interior wall membrane thereby
eliminating three time consuming and costly steps in construction.
Interior finish is provided by a spray-on cellulose material called,
Thermo-con, which is recycled paper mulch mixed with water-based glue.
The material is non-toxic, slightly soft to the touch and can be sculpted
by using the spray gun to build up chosen areas. One inch thickness
provides approximately R-6 insulation values and it is extremely sound
absorbing. Its density can be controlled upon application and a wide
selection of color is available. For our uses a white color was chosen
to reflect heat and to create the ambiance of expansive space.
At ground level, vertical pipe supports are placed at various angles
creating a sense of dynamic movement. These columns are integral with
the built-in furniture and wall systems of the spheres. Each of the
five spheres are surrounded by a continuous trough of water. Above
these troughs are a series of hollow tubes which draw-in fresh air
that is cooled by passing over the water troughs. Once inside the
air warms up and rises passing through a series of open vents at the
periphery of the second floor. The warmed air continues to rise following
the curving walls of the sphere until it reaches the peak of the sphere
and exits through the upper vent cap opening. A solar powered fan
blows air down to create a continuous flow cool and warmed air to
keep the interiors cool when temperatures outside soar to beyond 90
degrees Fahrenheit. Opening windows, located mostly on the north sides
for cooler air, provide cross-ventilation--a natural air conditioning
system.
The design of the Watsu center also features two pool areas, one indoor
and one outdoor, both connected by a waterfall. The enclosed pool
is surrounded by a glass canopy with metal "spikes" pointing skyward.
These spikes contain directional lighting to light the immediate grounds
of the school. Heat gain from the sun is controlled by the use of
planted potato vines and Bougainvillea which grow dense and lush in
the summer and thin-out during the winter.
The pools are four feet deep and are warmed by passive solar tubes
which face south. The water is recycled through a filtering system
in the underground mechanical room. A continuous ramp leads from the
pool deck level into the water and concludes at pool floor level.
The pools are easily accessed by the physically impaired. Of note
is how the elongated pool soars out over the hillside creating a compelling
visual experience from its deck area.
 
Entrance to the Watsu complex is from the north by way of the parking
area. One passes through two lighted water fountains and under a bridgeway
which spans between spheres one and two. The presence of water is
a prominent feature of the school and introduces the visitor to the
principles of Watsu.
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