People in the ancient world already understood the therapeutic effect of water. Spas and wellness centers remain popular retreats for relaxation and places for restorative encounters. They also offer architects almost unlimited freedom for creative visions. We present a selection of spas and bathhouses that successfully combine luxury wellness and modern architecture.
Integrating Comfort with Elegant Architecture: Modern Spa and Wellness Centers
Photos: Víctor Benítez
The architecture of a modern spa and wellness center is shaped by traditional bathing cultures as well as contemporary design. The interior of the Mikve Rajel bathhouse in Mexico City was designed by Pascal Arquitectos. Elements of Jewish ritual tradition are carefully interpreted in the interior: rainwater is collected, stored in the mikveh and used as part of a purification ritual.
Sunken pool
The reception room of the Mikve Rajel bathhouse resembles a glass box
Wood and marble interior
A Mix of Contemporary Architecture, Design and Spas
Photos: Roland Bernath
The spa and wellness center at Tamina Therme in Bad Ragaz, Switzerland, combines beautiful architecture with a wide range of wellness treatments. Unlike the monolithic structures of many bathhouses, its timber construction creates visual lightness. Light is essential to the therapeutic spa experience: large mullioned picture windows and 7.5-meter-high curved columns open views toward the surrounding park. The bathhouse was designed by Smolenicky & Partner with precision and imagination, while the concave forms strengthen the sense of relaxation.
Interior and exterior cladding with white wood planks
Floating wellness center in Montreal
Photos: Sid Lee Architecture
Thanks to its extensive technical expertise, Sid Lee Architecture was able to transform a 1950s ferry into a spa and wellness center. The 3,150-square-meter Bota Bota spa occupies five levels of a former 600-ton vessel, with generous windows that bring natural light inside. At the same time, the renovated floating design preserves a feeling of privacy.
The windows offer generous views
Spa and wellness with urban design
Small spa cabana with wood paneling
Renovation project for a centuries-old spa
Budapesti Műhely renovated the 400-year-old Rácz Thermal Bath in Budapest. Interiors from different periods are combined into a harmonious whole and appear in a new light.
Entirely redesigned complex
Interior expansion
The therapeutic effect of light
Strengthening the Relationship Between Space and the Body
Photos: Marc Cramer
Scandinave Les Bains Vieux-Montréal is a project by Saucier + Perrotte. The spa was built in a former warehouse in the heart of Montreal. Irregularities in floors, walls and ceilings recall a natural landscape.
Dynamic surface structure
Wood-covered floors and ceilings
Gentle curves and wave forms
The spa at Entre Cielos hotel in Mendoza, Argentina, by A4 Estudio
Pine wood planks and concrete define the interior
Spa Architecture & Design
Small openings in the walls create interesting light effects
Spa relaxation at Chairama in downtown Bogotá
Photos: Sergio Gomez
An expressive perforated facade and bright interiors give this spa a distinctive look. Glass, ceramics and epoxy resin were used across the four-level center. The design is by Giancarlo Mazzanti and Felipe Mesa of Plan:b Arquitectos.
Modern interior design for spa and wellness
Staged spaces
The spa is a place to relax and socialize
via Architonic, by Simon Keane-Cowell
Peter Dark
miranda_shida
Taus Kishiev
Anna Lohan
Lincoln Matheson
