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Shhh! Vamed opens 3,600sq m silent spa designed for contemplation
08 Dec 2016 . BY Jane Kitchen
The spa will be completely silent, and was inspired by the two things people are asking for in an increasingly hectic world: space and time for contemplation
Thermal wellness resort operator Vamed Vitality World has added a €14m (US$15m, £12m) stand-alone silent spa to its Therme Laa location in the Weinviertel region of northern Austria.
The 3,600sq m (38,750sq ft) spa – which has a 160-guest capacity – will be completely silent, and was inspired by the two things people are asking for in an increasingly hectic world: space and time for contemplation.
“Our body is perfectly taken care of – what we are lacking is for someone to take care of our souls as well,” said Tom Bauer, COO for Vamed Vitality World, in a keynote at the Global Wellness Summit earlier this year.
Vamed conceptualised the space and worked with architect Wolfgang Vanek of Holzbauer & Partner to realise the project. Vanek drew on elements of sacred architecture, such as 16th century cathedrals, to create a building designed to inspire.
“If you go into a church, all of a sudden, something happens to you – you get calmer,” explained Bauer. “Architecture has an influence on that. We asked: ‘What would be the right interpretation of that building that would translate into the 21st century?’”
The Silent Spa is a separate building with its own entrance – including one for hotel guests – and is directly linked to Therme Laa’s existing thermal spa.
Constructed in a pattern of four ellipses, the spa gravitates around a central tower and three-storey cascade fountain, which the thermal water flows from. The spa includes approximately 500sq m (5,382sq ft) walk-in water landscape filled with the natural mineral waters, including reflecting pools.
Each ellipse has different facilities, offering relaxation loungers, a saltwater pool, salt chamber, spa suites and steam bath. The building also has a 400sq m (4,306sq ft) sauna area with special infusion ceremonies, as well as an exercise room, restaurant and bar, and 100sq m (1,076sq ft) of treatment areas.
Vanek used principles of the Golden Ratio – a common mathematical ratio found in nature that has been used in architecture for thousands of years – in constructing the spa, and the geometrically pleasing format continues through the interior details.
“There are no golden chandeliers – just marble, stone, wood, glass and water – it’s very minimalistic,” said Bauer. “We don’t want to force contemplation, we only want to create a platform where you can experience it.”
Lighting plays a big part in the design, with windows carefully placed to encourage the reflection of sunlight on the water, which then reflects on to the stone walls, creating an atmosphere of tranquility.
The spa features king-sized relaxation beds with rolls and pillows, giving guests more space and privacy than your average spa.
Guests can also pre-book and reserve their lounger and spa robe – in their choice of sizes – along with iPads supplied with classical music selection and more than 250 newspapers, all through the Very Relaxed Person, or VRP, Check In – “so you can dive into contemplation,” said Bauer. For guests who prefer to stay offline, real games and a library are also available.
Bauer said he expects the Silent Spa to be particularly attractive to customers between the ages of 25 and 55, who are highly educated, successful – and working in high-challenge, stressful, multitasking jobs.
Maintaining silence in the spa, said Bauer, should not be a problem in a country that has such a strong culture of sauna usage, where a respectful quiet is ordinarily adhered to.
“Whoever has been in a sauna understands how a sauna works, and the silent spa will take it one step further,” he explained.
The spa has been designed to leave guests feeling both inspired and contemplative
The spa gravitates around a central tower and three-storey cascade fountain, which the thermal water flows from
The spa is constructed in a pattern of four ellipses that revolve around the central fountain
The spa features king-sized relaxation beds with rolls and pillows, giving guests more space and privacy than your average spa
Architect Wolfgang Vanek used principles of the Golden Ratio in constructing the spa, and the geometrically pleasing format continues through the interior details
Geometry is central to Holzbauer and Partner's design / Credit: Holzbauer and Partner
Vitamin D is a cornerstone of skin health, but with sunlight being our primary natural
source, it's crucial to exercise caution against overexposure to potent rays.
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pod that also emits negative ions and has been designed to create a float-like feeling.
Smart lock manufacturer Ojmar has released the OTS20 Batteryless – the first battery-free
electronic locker lock on the market. The smart lock is powered by Ojmar's patented 'Push
Power' technology, which harnesses the energy created by a simple push of the nozzle.
Hungarian skincare brand Omorovicza has introduced a signature treatment to mark its new
partnership with the spa at the iconic Claridge’s hotel in London.
Founder of 111Skin Dr Yannis Alexandrides has introduced the brand’s new Wrinkle Erasing
Retinol Patches to provide a needle-free solution for wrinkles on the forehead and around
the eyes and mouth.
Swissline has enhanced its Cell Shock Age Intelligence Collection with the introduction of
the Never-Creased Sunscreen SPF 50. This new product is designed to nourish and safeguard
the skin from sun damage, focusing on the face, neck and décolleté.
The spa team at the prestigious French hotel, Maybourne Riviera, located in Roquebrune-Cap-
Martin near Monaco, has chosen Fashionizer Spa to supply uniforms for its therapists.
Spa Life International® Conventions are intimate, business-focussed events, created
exclusively for senior spa and wellness professionals looking for a more targeted, cost-
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Shhh! Vamed opens 3,600sq m silent spa designed for contemplation
08 Dec 2016 . BY Jane Kitchen
The spa will be completely silent, and was inspired by the two things people are asking for in an increasingly hectic world: space and time for contemplation
Thermal wellness resort operator Vamed Vitality World has added a €14m (US$15m, £12m) stand-alone silent spa to its Therme Laa location in the Weinviertel region of northern Austria.
The 3,600sq m (38,750sq ft) spa – which has a 160-guest capacity – will be completely silent, and was inspired by the two things people are asking for in an increasingly hectic world: space and time for contemplation.
“Our body is perfectly taken care of – what we are lacking is for someone to take care of our souls as well,” said Tom Bauer, COO for Vamed Vitality World, in a keynote at the Global Wellness Summit earlier this year.
Vamed conceptualised the space and worked with architect Wolfgang Vanek of Holzbauer & Partner to realise the project. Vanek drew on elements of sacred architecture, such as 16th century cathedrals, to create a building designed to inspire.
“If you go into a church, all of a sudden, something happens to you – you get calmer,” explained Bauer. “Architecture has an influence on that. We asked: ‘What would be the right interpretation of that building that would translate into the 21st century?’”
The Silent Spa is a separate building with its own entrance – including one for hotel guests – and is directly linked to Therme Laa’s existing thermal spa.
Constructed in a pattern of four ellipses, the spa gravitates around a central tower and three-storey cascade fountain, which the thermal water flows from. The spa includes approximately 500sq m (5,382sq ft) walk-in water landscape filled with the natural mineral waters, including reflecting pools.
Each ellipse has different facilities, offering relaxation loungers, a saltwater pool, salt chamber, spa suites and steam bath. The building also has a 400sq m (4,306sq ft) sauna area with special infusion ceremonies, as well as an exercise room, restaurant and bar, and 100sq m (1,076sq ft) of treatment areas.
Vanek used principles of the Golden Ratio – a common mathematical ratio found in nature that has been used in architecture for thousands of years – in constructing the spa, and the geometrically pleasing format continues through the interior details.
“There are no golden chandeliers – just marble, stone, wood, glass and water – it’s very minimalistic,” said Bauer. “We don’t want to force contemplation, we only want to create a platform where you can experience it.”
Lighting plays a big part in the design, with windows carefully placed to encourage the reflection of sunlight on the water, which then reflects on to the stone walls, creating an atmosphere of tranquility.
The spa features king-sized relaxation beds with rolls and pillows, giving guests more space and privacy than your average spa.
Guests can also pre-book and reserve their lounger and spa robe – in their choice of sizes – along with iPads supplied with classical music selection and more than 250 newspapers, all through the Very Relaxed Person, or VRP, Check In – “so you can dive into contemplation,” said Bauer. For guests who prefer to stay offline, real games and a library are also available.
Bauer said he expects the Silent Spa to be particularly attractive to customers between the ages of 25 and 55, who are highly educated, successful – and working in high-challenge, stressful, multitasking jobs.
Maintaining silence in the spa, said Bauer, should not be a problem in a country that has such a strong culture of sauna usage, where a respectful quiet is ordinarily adhered to.
“Whoever has been in a sauna understands how a sauna works, and the silent spa will take it one step further,” he explained.
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The spa has been designed to leave guests feeling both inspired and contemplative
The spa gravitates around a central tower and three-storey cascade fountain, which the thermal water flows from
The spa is constructed in a pattern of four ellipses that revolve around the central fountain
The spa features king-sized relaxation beds with rolls and pillows, giving guests more space and privacy than your average spa
Architect Wolfgang Vanek used principles of the Golden Ratio in constructing the spa, and the geometrically pleasing format continues through the interior details
Geometry is central to Holzbauer and Partner's design / Credit: Holzbauer and Partner
Vitamin D is a cornerstone of skin health, but with sunlight being our primary natural
source, it's crucial to exercise caution against overexposure to potent rays.
Kloodos has secured the global distribution rights for a futuristic photobiomodulation (PBM)
pod that also emits negative ions and has been designed to create a float-like feeling.
Smart lock manufacturer Ojmar has released the OTS20 Batteryless – the first battery-free
electronic locker lock on the market. The smart lock is powered by Ojmar's patented 'Push
Power' technology, which harnesses the energy created by a simple push of the nozzle.
Hungarian skincare brand Omorovicza has introduced a signature treatment to mark its new
partnership with the spa at the iconic Claridge’s hotel in London.
Founder of 111Skin Dr Yannis Alexandrides has introduced the brand’s new Wrinkle Erasing
Retinol Patches to provide a needle-free solution for wrinkles on the forehead and around
the eyes and mouth.
Swissline has enhanced its Cell Shock Age Intelligence Collection with the introduction of
the Never-Creased Sunscreen SPF 50. This new product is designed to nourish and safeguard
the skin from sun damage, focusing on the face, neck and décolleté.
The spa team at the prestigious French hotel, Maybourne Riviera, located in Roquebrune-Cap-
Martin near Monaco, has chosen Fashionizer Spa to supply uniforms for its therapists.
