Situated in the San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado and referred to as the “Switzerland of America,” Ouray is a true gem of the Rocky Mountain Region. The city’s beloved hot springs facility serves the community of 1,000 people as a recreation center as well as a tourist destination that contributes greatly to the local economy. The project—to reimagine the facility—responded to the desire to upgrade the visitor experience without sacrificing the history and character of the original pool. Above all, the goal was to serve citizens and visitors through an inclusive and inviting design. By careful consideration of the resource, the team increased the usable capacity of the pools. The hot/soaking pools now have capacity for more people but are designed to feel more intimate and peaceful. Through collaboration, creative solutions, and a comprehensive public process, the team rejuvenated this treasured amenity so it could return the favor for generations to come.
The Ouray Hot Springs Pool was originally built in the 1920s as a summer facility. In the 1980s, modifications were made that allowed the facility to be open year-round. Over the years, the patchwork of additions and remodels left gaps in the city’s ability to maintain and operate a facility that meets the expectations and needs of visitors. The overall facility includes an outside pool, a two-story bath house, and filtration/pump facilities to supply geothermal mineral water. The goals were to increase capacity, celebrate the mountain surroundings, and pay tribute to the historic oval form of the original pool.
Improving The Visitor Experience Reconfiguring the original oval into separate pools allowed the design to maintain the overall historic shape, while improving year-round function and maintenance. The three pools are now organized to create grouped activity zones for louder/active areas as well as for quiet soaking areas. Local boulders showcase the regional geology, and concrete paving flows into lawn areas for sunbathers and picnickers. Increased lawn and deck space create more spacious and scenic lounging/gathering areas around the pools; informal pool shapes create more edge and deck space for better circulation and organization of activities. Even though the pools accommodate more people, the space is carefully articulated to make visitors feel less crowded or exposed.