Banya Spa

A spa project with sinuous volumes within a tight space cradling a dry heat sauna clad in kelo logs, a plunge pool, showers, a sculpture garden lounge and hammams.

Type Leisure
Location London
Status Built
Size 300sqm
Year 2020

CONCEPT

This project brings the experience of Russian banya to West London. It provides the full array of banya features within a constrained space, whilst achieving a smooth flow of public and private spaces.

The curved ‘Parnaya’ is the heart of the Banya. We arranged the space so that the interior Parnaya experience is secluded, whilst its exterior form is ever-present in the main public spaces. The vertical kelo log cladding evokes a traditional sauna, but is presented in a shape which feels more organic than built – vertical logs along a curve. Each of the Parnaya, showers and plunge pool, form curved pods, strung like beads along the lounge wall, with a translucent glass block separating lounge from spa.

The lounge seating is inspired by a sculpture garden. The exterior sides echo a collection of modern sculptures, at once abstract and anthropomorphic. High backs and arm-sides generate privacy for diners in the luxurious leather seats, whilst echoing the shapes of the smooth pods opposite.