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DESIGNING FOR SPAS, HEALTH AND WELLNESS

2/6/2018

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Considerations when designing a space for a health, wellness and relaxation:
  • Comfort
  • Materials & Finishes
  • Lighting
  • Colour
  • The floor plan​
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COMFORT 
When designing a space for a wellness facility whether it is a spa, clinic, gym or gathering place the first thing that the user will notice is their comfort level. Is the lighting pleasing and relaxing, is the temperature comfortable, is there sufficient way-finding, does it smell nice, is there loud noises or comforting sounds. All these sensory experiences will have an impact on the user creating a pleasant or unpleasant experience. The entrance should be inviting and calming. Water features create a visual and audio sensory effect that evokes nature and induce relaxation. Indirect dim lighting along with natural materials will aid in creating a relaxing environment. Plants and natural materials like stone and wood will bring a connection with nature.
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MATERIALS
The use of materials is important to create a healthy space for healing, relaxation and wellness. First and foremost the materials and finishes must be non-toxic. No off gassing or toxic fumes. The materials should have natural properties, look and feel. Finishes can be rustic or sleek and modern but they should not interfere or compete with the users requirement for relaxation to promote healing. Sound is important so surfaces should be softened with rugs or fabric panels to reduce noise vibration. Natural stone looks excellent and creates a natural  look and feel. Polished  stone will create louder spaces. If the space is large, split faced stone can deflect sound within the space. Precious stones and crystals can add hidden meaning.
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LIGHTING
Lighting is so important to add emphasis in areas of importance and to create soothing and relaxing spaces where needed. Indirect lighting is an effective way to create a nice ambience while still illuminating the space as required for functionality. Accent lighting can be used to emphasize the materials and finishes. Signage should be well lit. ​
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Lanterns can create soft lighting and play with shadows which can make a space feel more comfortable and intimate. Lighting can create a focal point and interest on an otherwise plain surface.
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COLOUR
If the space is a gym or activity area, brighter colour or coloured lighting can energize the space. Colours can be effective and invoking emotion and therefore creating energy.
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PSYCHOLOGY OF COLOUR WHEEL
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THE FLOOR PLAN & WAYFINDING
Confusion creates stress. The space should be easy navigate. Planning and signage are key to create simplicity for the user to experience the space. Whether small or large the plan can be centred upon a hub, for example a relaxation area, or it can be successional spaces. As long as the flow is consistent and is not confusing. There is nothing worse then getting lost in a twisting hallway with too many doors. The plan should be intuitive and thoughtful. Waiting and relaxation areas should be quiet and not adjacent to busy spaces. If possible a separation between staff areas and public areas creates more of a stress free atmosphere for guests. 
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Spa favourites 

2/15/2016

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The Four Season's Spa in Doha, Qatar provides a soothing and relaxing environment with a variety of therapies for the body. The entrance to the spa is a beautiful backlit onyx wall which is located at the top of a staircase leading down into the spa located in the lower level. The space is cool and calming with plush rugs and water features providing ambient sound. 
The hydrotherapy lounge consists of a wave pool with bubble seating, overhead jets, current pools, a kniepp foot bath and laconium beds. Located adjacent to the hydrotherapy lounge are different rooms such as a colour therapy, an ice room and of course the standard sauna and steam within the change room area

Health benefits of Colour Therapy:
Colour Therapy is a natural, powerful and non-invasive system of healing that uses the therapeutic energy of the seven colours of the light spectrum. Colour therapy has a history as far back as ancient Egypt, China and India. Light (or the absence of light) can have an effect on the Hypothalamus, the Pineal and Pituitary glands which affects our mental and physical states of health.

. The environment of this spa is warm and calming with mosaic tile in beiges and brown tones along with marble floors. The Hydrotherapy lounge opens onto the outdoor swimming pool which is next to the beach.
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http://www.fourseasons.com/doha/spa/therapeutic_bodyworks/
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JJs Family Spa near Vancouver, Canada is a unique family owned Korean Spa. The Spa is located in Coquitlam, BC, just outside of Vancouver, an unlikely place for a luxury spa but worth the trek. My favourite part of this spa experience was the different themed rooms. Although the finishes are a little outdated and the environment nothing too special, the  variety of themed therapeutic rooms is the most unique I have seen. 

There is a salt room, a charcoal room, and a red earth room along with the standard sauna, steam,hot & cold tub.
The salt room provides relief from respiratory illnesses, improve skin conditions and strengthen the immune system.
The Charcoal room restores the body with its antioxidant properties, promoting an alkaline environment for the body.
The Red Earth Room promotes blood circulation, helps o eliminate toxins from the body and relaxes the mind to enhance the healing powers of the body.
I will definitely return to this spa for the experience.

http://jjfamilyspa.com

The spa at the Chedi Hotel in  Muscat, Oman is an oasis of relaxation. The beautiful and serene gardens leading up to the spa entrance provide a nice transition from the bright and hot exterior to the cool dark oasis inside the sap walls. The spa treatments offer worldly oriental and ayurvedic treatments or aromatherapy oils. There are treatments from india, Bali, Vietnam along with reflexology and treatments catering to adrenal fatigue. There is a state of the art gym finished with warm wood finishes and technogym equipment along with the latest pilates equipment. There is an outdoor swimming pool next to the beach.   

http://www.ghmhotels.com/en/muscat/spa-wellness/

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    ALISON BRANDT

    Interior Designer

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