Glenwood Hot Springs Resort is building a new water park experience for future guests. To attain its vision, the geothermal resort engaged DHM Design, a Colorado-based landscape architecture firm with a knack for creating people-pleasing aquatic environments.
There’s something big happening at the world’s largest hot springs pool in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. At this point in the construction process it’s hard to tell what’s going on at first glance, but renderings by DHM Design posted in the pool lobby and around the property give a glimpse of what’s to come as part of a massive renovation to the west end of the historic geothermal property.
“DHM Design had the experience and sensitivity we were looking for in a remodel of this scale and impact,” Operations Manager for Glenwood Hot Springs, Kevin Flohr, said. “They also have a local office. Hiring talent as close to home as possible was an important consideration for us as well.”
After providing an assessment of existing conditions and recommendations for the renovation and rejuvenation of the pools and grounds, DHM Project Manager, Jen DiCuollo and her team created a master plan to reflect Glenwood Hot Springs’ core identity, which centers on the resort’s history of building multi-generational relationships.
As part of the plan to update the facilities and enhance the overall guest experience, the firm was tasked with exploring design elements that provide enhanced activities for children and families while maintaining a uniquely Colorado experience with a European spa character. The chosen design includes an interactive fountain that will serve as a splash-pad for all ages by day and a show fountain at night; a zero-entry toddler pool with interactive spouts and nozzles; a kid’s pool with a waterfall, play area and three water slides; and an adventure river that will be integrated into the slope of the hillside and will simulate the thrill of tubing down a whitewater river.
Balancing the site’s existing character with the goals for improved function and maintenance was key, as was elevating the visitor experience. Design choices reflect both the practical needs of the space—such as pedestrian circulation, accessibility, shade, the on-deck and the in-pool experience—and the crowd-pleasing creative elements, including highly activated play areas with slides, adventure rivers and rock walls and more intimate spaces with waterfalls. The overarching goal was to respect the resort’s contextual and cultural history while updating it for the modern hot springs visitor.
DHM specializes in landscape architecture, ecological and urban planning and design. They have a passion for designing for the hot springs niche and most recently completed an extensive redesign of the Ouray Hot Springs in Ouray, Colorado. The firm is involved in five current hot springs facility improvements across the mountain west. DHM Design has offices in Carbondale, Denver and Durango, Colorado, as well as in Bozeman, Montana.
Glenwood Hot Springs Resorts’ new water park is scheduled to open in the summer of 2019!