The Baths of Elagabalus: A Vertical Bathhouse Part 2 Project 2024 Liam Horrocks University of the West of England | UK The Baths of Elagabalus sits within the proposal of a masterplan centred around the Archaeological Park of Rome, a site that embodies the layered historical narrative of the city. The research undertaken for this project straddles the realms of past and present, seeking to answer a complex question: Is the current utilization of Rome’s ruins an effective architectural strategy, or is there room to rekindle the romanticism that characterized the city in the 17th and 18th centuries?Building upon these principles the envisioned Baths of Elagabalus seeks to critically examine and question the romantic essence of the ruins through a celebration of water. Creating new public spaces that not only offer functionality and social value but also pioneer new modalities for experiencing the ruins, moving away from the prevalent isolation that characterizes many of the existing ruins today.The final design incorporates a vertical bathhouse, integrates a physical and atmospheric heaviness reflective of roman design, creating a space that resonates with historical reverence while providing the necessary structural support for a multi-storey series of bathing areas. The strategic incorporation of light from above is a defining element within the design and taken from the ethereal experience of Roman architecture. Liam Horrocks Tutor(s) Jonathan Bassindale