Splash Palace is AAmp Studio’s contribution to the Toronto Society of Architects’ call for Virtual Pride Float submissions to celebrate the LGBTQ community through June, in lieu of in-person festivities due to Covid-19. The digital floats explore the theme of ‘Out’ and are designed to be inhabited in an online 3D-world where the community will be able to celebrate together virtually.

Splash Palace is a vessel for expression, exploration and delight! Its layered and labyrinthine system of baths, showers and pool-scapes embrace ambiguity and outness. Its neutral setting of wet rooms and sensory experiences encourage visitors to bring life to the space, to be who they are, in their own way, at their own speed.

 The virtual pride float consists of a series of 3m x 3m modules. Lacking clear front, back, top or bottom faces, the units twist, rotate and flip to create a stacked 5-floor cubic courtyard structure. Each module sponsors a source of water, foliage, or textured tile to delight users and encourage both individual and group engagement.

 Seemingly a simple cube from the exterior, the aggregated modules become distorted and intertwined as visitors move through the space. Occupants can see and be seen from the courtyard pool, party and intermingle on the upper levels, or take a hot steam or shower in the lower-level grottos. Splash Palace invites them to come in, come out, take a dip, and explore!