“ Sustainability — from the construction of the spa itself to the products used during treatments — has proven to be a crucial factor for consumers .”
— SIMON MARXER
The design elements of Miraval Berkshires amplify guests ' connection to the natural world and encourage calm introspection .
tion of built spaces to include not only energy efficiency , but also outcomes surrounding , for example , nourishment and mental wellness . “ Those are things that are relatively newly embraced by the process of design ,” he says .
One way that the work of Pohl and his firm pushes these trends forward is through the frequent incorporation of natural environments into their projects . Spas and wellness experts have long touted the mental and physical health benefits of spending time in nature , and emphasizing a connection to nature is increasingly a part of new building projects . “ What we ’ re really doing is reminding humans that we are part of nature and not separate from it . There are so many ways that we express that in architecture ,” Pohl says . “ I ’ m always really excited by the prospect of creating living walls or living environments on the inside of a building .”
Integrating the natural world into its property ’ s design was a key consideration for Miraval Berkshires , which opened in 2020 . “ We ’ re lucky enough to be positioned in the middle of a gorgeous landscape , so we wanted to ensure those natural elements were respected and included in our design theory ,” says Simon Marxer , Miraval Group ’ s director of spa and wellbeing .
Miraval worked with Clodagh , a legendary designer who “ passionately believes that good design supports well-being ,” to craft a space that would keep guests ’ minds connected to the beauty of their natural surroundings , even indoors . “ In the Life in Balance Spa , Clodagh ’ s design was conceived to excite all five senses and encourage mindfulness and introspection ,” says Marxer . “ Inside the spa , a courtyard made of natural elements — wind , water , fire , metal and earth — evokes a sense of harmony with nature . Additional design elements , such as a solid ceiling full of skylights , a cairn of stones , a giant metal mandala and a pure Citrine crystal adorn the interior .”
Of course , not every spa has the luxury of working alongside a world-renowned design team , nor do many existing spas currently have the budget flexibility to expand or renovate their spaces to implement additional wellbeing-enhancing elements . However , as Tori Shepherd notes , there are a
number of interventions that don ’ t require much capital expenditure but can still have a significant impact on occupants . The WELL Health-Safety Rating , for example , was designed with existing spaces in mind .“ WELL outlines over 120 strategies , such as biophilia , circadian lighting , increased movement and healthy eating , that range in scope and impact , so that organizations can choose the interventions that are most feasible and most impactful for their unique space ,” she says . In the short term , spa leaders can investigate those manageable steps while making longer term plans for ways they can continue to integrate other occupant-focused operational shifts .
Relying on third-party verification from groups like IWBI can lend added credibility to their businesses and reassure guests that a spa ’ s operational practices really do support the health and well-being of everyone inside along with the well-being of the planet , which may increasingly become a make-orbreak consideration for some spa-goers .
“ Sustainability — from the construction of the spa itself to the products used during treatments — has proven to be a crucial factor for consumers ,” says Simon Marxer . Clive Pohl agrees , adding that spas and consumers both have a part to play in promoting responsible choices .“ It requires decision-makers to step up and own their choices ,” he says . “ But what I find is that once you take your first step on the first rung of the ladder toward responsible purchasing and responsible design , the more you want to climb higher and higher .” ■
APRIL 2021 ■ PULSE 35