A Sauna is an incredible space, with the concepts behind them, and the proven benefits of them both well-established culturally and firmly backed up by science. This is one main reason why it’s relatively rare to find a commercial spa to not take advantage of the great benefits that a commercial sauna room can bring! Here are 7 incredible designs that encapsulate innovation, art, comfort, and experience:
1. Wapping Lane, London
This sauna room combines a traditional Finnish aesthetic, with horizontal thermo-treated Aspen giving the impression of an airy open space, while unintrusive and symmetrical offset spotlights create soft conical reflections that one could use as a meditative aid. The concealed heater behind the bench utilises automated aromatherapy, stimulating the senses and enhancing an entrancing experience.
2. Kensington High Street, London
Thermal-resistant clad Aspen surrounds a shrine of warmth, powered by a 15kW Laava heater allowing direct transfer to more than 60 kilos of sauna stone. The use of stone makes the space more versatile, for manual aromatherapy and humidity controls which are not as easily achievable with a concealed heating system. Soft and chroma-controlled perimeter lights, combined with warm and inviting under-bench lights allow for a space that is accessible, comfortable, and truly rewarding to our senses, and sensibilities!
3. Novotel – Tower Bridge
This stunning design focuses on verticality, with a warm perimeter spot system providing chromatic highlighting to headrests and benches. The hydration pale (bottom-right) allows for greater evaporation when applied to the skin, opening pores and draining body toxins! The Red Cedar panelling is laid horizontally, creating an aesthetically pleasing and warmly lit surrounding to complement the heater (not pictured), holding over 100KG of Sauna Rock!
4. Rudding Park, Harrogate
This incredibly inviting design combines verticality and openness, with a bi-chromatic lighting pattern allowing the tree-trunk cross-section tiling at the rear wall. This pattern emphasises the open-feel of the space, complete with a direct outside view, perimeter lighting to control stimulation (or the lack of!) and, again, an emphasis on horizontal lines to create a crisp, clean and safe space in which to let go. The room is powered by a 24kW heater secreted in the corner and holding a whopping 200 kilos of Sauna Rock for incredible thermodynamics within the space.
5. Penarth Leisure Centre
This sauna was the result of a complete refurbishment after a devastating fire at the centre. The results are spectacular, with secreted under-bench heaters, and under-bench strip lighting gives a welcoming and relaxing ambience for the two-tone space. The second tone, provided by the natural darkened stone wall at the back, gives the space a rustic and almost historic feel, and, from an engineering perspective, also serves to slow down ageing and degradation of the interior. A perfect example of the marriage between art and science!
6. Furzefield Leisure Centre
This beautiful space at the Furzefield Leisure Centre runs hot, with temperatures running between 75 and 85C. State of the art environmental controls manage humidity levels with regular infusions of water and fragrance – creating a holistic sensory experience that is enhanced by subtle yet comforting underbench lighting.
7. South Lodge, Horsham
This absolutely incredible space at the South Lodge is defined by a beautiful and captivating panoramic vista featuring an outdoor pool and miles of rolling countryside. Clad in thermo-treated Alder, the smooth curves of the ceiling fins add to an aura of relaxation and repair as aromatic infusions are automatically woven into the air by Sauna Stone, mounted onto the hidden heating system.
What are your great ideas?
Aegean Spas are experts in saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs and much more. Find out more about us and see our current projects on our Instagram!