Are you considering remodeling or building an entirely new hydrothermal spa area? Whether you're the project owner/operator/developer or an architect, interior designer or builder looking to better understand these spaces, we lay out some crucial insights and resources that should help.
Tip 1: Assemble a Project Team
The first thing you'll want to do is assemble your project's "dream team." If it's a commercial build (hotel spa, day spa, bathhouse, sauna center, etc.), you'll need a hydrothermal spa specialist on board from the outset.
Residential builds, on the other hand, may simply require consulting with an equipment supplier to ensure a clear understanding of how the sauna, steam room, or specialized experience shower will fit into the home. We find the best solution is working with high-quality manufacturers who are able to prefabricate your thermal rooms and supply them ready-to-install into the space prepared by your builder.
For commercial spas, you'll also want an operational spa consultant to help you develop a successful business model. These experts will define the project, create the business plan, assist in choosing the products and services on offer, and coordinate your staff recruitment/training, etc.
For either project type, your architect, interior designer, or general contractor should ideally have some experience building wet spa areas.
Tip 2: Understand the Role of Hydrothermal Consultants
A successful build depends on collaboration between the design/construction team
and a specialist wet area team that brings detailed knowledge of hydrothermal spa requirements. Crucially, the hydrothermal specialist/consultant should be appointed BEFORE significant headway is made by the designer or architect.
This is because hydrothermal consultants can provide authoritative expertise on every aspect of the hydrothermal build, including:
Space requirements for thermal rooms/pools and behind-the-scene equipment
Deep understanding of people flow of both guests (bathing journey) and staff
Materials and construction techniques required to handle water, humidity, heat
Controlling noise emission and potential water egress
Building to local codes and ADA standards
Sustainable, environmentally-conscious building practices
Remember: Hydrothermal spa design is a complex process in both design and engineering, and one has a unique understanding and appreciation for integrating both into a single space. Typically, lead designers/architects on large commercial projects will employ a specialist sub-consultant to carry out the spa design.
Tip 3: Visit As Many Spas and Bathhouses As Possible!
Anyone embarking on a project like this will benefit from visiting other commercial or residential spa areas as they can. This should include projects that members of the team may have designed, operated, built or consulted on. If possible, speak to spa owners/operators or homeowners to identify critical success factors and the things they may have done differently.
Tip 4: Consider the Common Mistakes that Hydrothermal Experts Will Help You Avoid
Costly delays and re-fits caused by a specialist not being involved during preliminary design stages
Underestimating or ignoring the additional space required for plant room and mechanical equipment
Lack of attention to people flow—both guests and staff (particularly for easy, unobtrusive cleaning)
Not accounting for variances in cultures and the types of treatments and facilities
guests will want and use (i.e., knowing your target audience)
Ruining a relaxing experience with too much noise; whether it’s a hydrotherapy pool or a plant room, DFL knows how to keep noise to a minimum
Not enough space for back-of-house areas
Building with substandard materials that can’t handle extensive heat and moisture
Failing to follow proper drainage and ventilation standards
Lack of awareness of health, safety and hygiene in every aspect of the design, including ADA requirements
Attempting to cut costs by not hiring dedicated specialists, such as MEP consultant
or structural engineers; invariably, this costs more in the long run
Not specifying properly tested and certified waterproof construction materials
Not planning for the space required for the plant room
Inefficient (messy) crossover of wet and dry areas
Failure to consider and maximize revenue
Ready to plan your next hydrothermal spa and wellness project? Click to download the latest "Guide to Hydrothermal Spa & Wellness Development Standards"
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