Spas in the News
Douglas Wallace Spa Design Wins 2006
European Design Award
November 2006 - Douglas
Wallace Architects and Designers' design for E'Spa
at the g Hotel in Galway has won the "Best Hotel Design for
Spa, Health and Leisure Interiors" at this year's European Hotel
Design Awards. The g was nominated in a further two categories, including
Best Hotel Design for Bar & Restaurant Interiors and Best Hotel
Design for Lobby / Public Area Interiors.
The European Hotel Design Awards are part of Sleep06,
the prestigious European Hotel Design Event, which took place on 7th
and 8th November 2006 at Old Billingsgate Market in London. Judges included
industry experts such as hotelier Gordon Campbell Gray and Jeroen Bergmans,
editor at Wallpaper Magazine.
Douglas Wallace worked in consultation with ESPA
International, creating a spa that offers a holistic oasis of calm
for guests. The space uses rich colours and natural materials such as
stone, wood and linen to reflect the surrounding Galway landscape and
creates a welcoming five-star environment for pure indulgence.
Susan Harmsworth, CEO and Founder of ESPA International
commented, "It was a great pleasure for the ESPA team to work in
collaboration with the innovative and creative talent of Douglas Wallace
on this unique project. The G's striking character of stylish glamour
is perfectly complimented by the Spa's contemporary elegance and sense
of place, providing guests the unique combination of vibrant residence
and urban spa retreat in the heart of Galway." ESPA at the g offers
guests a contemporary urban spa setting on the upper two floors of the
five star g hotel, Galway. The beautifully blended and meditative space
is inspired by a Japanese theme and offers an air of tranquillity in
contrast to the out and out glamour of the rest of the hotel.
The wet area features a vitality pool, heated tepidariums,
rock sauna, steam room, rain showers boasting ½ metre diameter
heads and offering a tropical mist effect, and an ice fountain. Four
beauty suites are situated on the lower floor and eight treatment rooms
are to be found on the upper floor.
Rising over the stairwell as if in flight, is the spa
features a breathtaking installation of a flock of origami cranes, representing
long life and happiness in Japanese tradition. The sculpture was especially
designed for ESPA at the g by artist Eva Menz.
The European Hotel Design Award is the latest addition
to Douglas Wallace's awards successes in 2006. The EYE Cinema project
in Galway won the Best Commercial Building of the Year at this year's
RIAI Awards. The Scotch Hall mixed-use development in Drogheda won Louth
County Council's Design and Conservation Award for Best Commercial Building
as well as being highly commended at the 2006 Opus Architecture Awards.
www.douglaswallace.com
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