Article Author : Lyra Chan
Oslo Badebotaniske Marine Scientific Project
As a new member to the team it has been great to see first hand how Spa Creators always considers the integration of nature into their projects. They focus on the resources surrounding their sites, consequently making each project personalised, from adapting the views to best frame the surroundings, to creating eco conscious spaces. A few of the ideas being adopted include, natural swimming ponds, use of natural sustainable materials, harvesting water from pool filtration and adding planting to roof spaces and using sustainable energy production.
Alistair Johnson [Managing Director]: comments ‘since we did our first sustainable project with a hotel for John Lewis [over 10 years ago] using water harvesting and a Bio Mass energy source we have been looking at sustainability as a core philosophy in our approach to spa design. Each project gives something back to the environment with individuality in the design to create diversity and sustainability’
Spa Creators are always on the look out for innovative ways to expand upon these methods, making their spas not only in-keeping with their high standards, but also creating memorable experiences in unique ways that harmonise with the environment. The company is searching for the next trend exploring sites and concepts from around the world to bring to their project designs. One of the most recent trips by Alistair was to Oslo, Norway, to explore one of the homelands of saunas and cold plunge therapy, where Spa Creators discovered an intriguing architectural project.
Transboarder Studio, in collaboration with Oslo Badstuforening, NIVA and Bolligner + Grohmann, are creating a research pilot for nature restoration in harbours with the use of sustainable construction materials. The concept suggests integrating nature into off shore construction by establishing an artificial seabed under floating buildings. Made from modified Glulam wood, this project aims to become a research hub for marine life in addition to social activities.
Oslo Badstuforening, one of the partners in this project, is a non-profit association that runs saunas in Oslo harbour. They partnered with Transboarder Studio to collaborate and create a large-scale sauna facility, which will become the vessel holding the floating garden 3 meters under the water. Giving saunas in Norway another dimension to their importance within society and the marine environment.
Our team will be following the success of this project as it develops, taking inspiration from this new concept. Alistair believes ‘consumers of spa experiences are wanting more than the benefits to their wellbeing but extending this to the world around them. Operators will need to consider this vital consumer trend when developing their spa project’.
Take an in-depth look into our work and projects to see how sustainability has been part of them.
