Rizzani de Eccher handed over the new thermal bath and spa complex Terme di Merano, a relaxation and wellness facility that was built over a three year period for the company Terme di Merano S.p.A.
The cost of the project amounts to some Euro 56 million. The facilities cover an overall area of 67,000 m2, includes a glass and steel cube that houses part of the 25 baths of thermal water (13 covered and 12 open) with a total water surface of 2,050 m2, a 1.,00 m2 SPA & Vital Center, 1,400 m2 different saunas as well as a fitness centre and cabinets for specific body care and treatments.
The wide range of finishing materials used, the very sophisticated construction details and decorations, the complex structural grid adapted to account for the articulate architectural layout, the interference of the network of engineering services with the structural elements of the building frame: these were just some of the many difficulties that Rizzani de Eccher had to face during construction, and nonetheless the work was completed as per schedule.
The core of the thermal architecture features an imposing glass and steel cube overhanging the large thermal swimming pool, which through a well-conceived play of transparencies sets the spa complex in the centre of the surrounding mountains and creates a charming overall picture. This cube is over 14 m high; 400 tons of steel and over 6,000 m2 glazed surfaces were used for its erection.
The SPA complex has been built in accordance with the latest environmental-friendly technologies: low-temperature heating, water supply from two wells ensuring a saving of 8 million litres of water a year, a cogeneration plant for the generation of electric power and recovery of the heat being produced at the same time; the thermal power in excess of the cogeneration process is used for room cooling.