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Integrating Dark Grey Bricks and Glazed Roofs to Enhance Wellness Retreat Spaces

Authors:
Carlo Alberto Follo, Hasnaa Rhazlaoui
Integrating Dark Grey Bricks and Glazed Roofs to Enhance Wellness Retreat Spaces

Project in-detail

Utilizing dark grey bricks and a glazed roof, the design creates an immersive environment that seamlessly connects indoor wellness spaces with the surrounding landscape, serving as a retreat for relaxation and rejuvenation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Dark grey bricks provide significant thermal mass, enhancing energy efficiency throughout the year.
02
A glazed roof maximizes natural light, creating a bright and airy atmosphere within treatment spaces.
03
Retractable aluminum covers allow users to adapt to varying weather while maintaining comfort.
04
Integrated small wintergardens improve indoor air quality and promote a connection to nature.
05
The layout is strategically designed to offer both communal and private areas for diverse wellness experiences.
The Blue Clay Country Spa is a contemporary architectural project designed to serve as a wellness retreat, integrating natural elements with health-focused facilities. This project aims to create a tranquil environment that fosters relaxation and personal rejuvenation. It emphasizes a strong connection with the surrounding landscape while addressing the functional needs of its users.

The primary function of the Blue Clay Country Spa is to provide a space for relaxation, healing, and wellness activities. The architectural design facilitates various services and amenities including guest accommodations, treatment rooms, communal areas, and outdoor spaces designed for both individual and group engagement. This approach ensures a holistic user experience, reinforcing the importance of both community and privacy within the spa environment.

Materiality and Sustainability
The material choices are fundamental to the project’s success. Dark grey bricks are employed for their thermal mass properties, providing an excellent balance between durability and aesthetic integration with the environment. The use of a glazed roof allows for ample natural light, which enhances the indoor atmosphere while promoting energy efficiency through passive solar heating. Concrete slab flooring contributes to thermal regulation and structural integrity, vital for the long-term functionality of the building.

Retractable aluminum covers are included to increase adaptability to varying weather conditions, allowing users to modify their exposure to sunlight as desired. Small glazed wintergardens are seamlessly integrated throughout the design, promoting indoor greenery and improving air quality, which is integral to a wellness-focused atmosphere. Thick brick walls further enhance the building’s sustainability by improving thermal performance, reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling.

Integration with Landscape
The layout and spatial organization are thoughtfully considered, aiming to optimize the connection between indoor and outdoor experiences. Guest accommodations are arranged to capitalize on views of the adjacent lake, while communal areas encourage social interaction without compromising personal space. The project’s strategic placement creates well-defined paths that encourage exploration of the surrounding natural environment.

The landscape itself plays a pivotal role in the overall design. The combination of trees and open spaces provides shelter and enhances the immersive experience of nature, essential for a wellness retreat. This thoughtful integration reinforces a seamless transition between built and natural environments, which is a critical focus in the architectural planning process.

Unique Design Approaches
What sets the Blue Clay Country Spa apart from typical wellness centers is its emphasis on achieving a balance between health, architecture, and nature. The design incorporates flexible spaces tailored for a range of activities from therapeutic treatments to social gatherings. The harmonization of natural materials with advanced architectural techniques showcases an innovative approach to spa facilities, where user experience is paramount.

The effective use of thermal mass, combined with natural ventilation strategies, enhances visitors' comfort, making it a viable choice for year-round use. By centering the design around well-being, visitors interact not only with the treatments but also with the architecture as a therapeutic aid, further accentuating the purpose of the project.

For those interested in a closer look at the Blue Clay Country Spa, exploring the architectural plans, sections, and detailed designs will provide additional insights into this unique project and its innovative architectural ideas. This further understanding can enhance appreciation for the thoughtful design strategies employed throughout the development.
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100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

Microhome

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € PRIZE FUND / KINGPSAN EDITION #10 IDEAS COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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