Wellness Resort
The concept of a resort originates from the practice of seeking medical treatment in a distant location, characterized by beautiful landscapes and natural features such as mineral springs, hot springs, or beaches. It has evolved into a clear notion of a leisure destination in a scenic environment, with the goal of restoring both mental and physical health for individuals.
Wellness represents a harmonious balance between physical and mental health, promoting a positive and healthy lifestyle. Importantly, it emphasizes a close relationship with nature, facilitating comprehensive rejuvenation of life energy for both body and mind.
Wellness Resorts provide a space that supports overall health in various forms. When the Global Wellness Institute reported that Wellness tourism is expected to grow faster than any other healthcare sector, increasing by about 20.9% by 2025.
Wellness tourism has become more known in recent years; however, this type of tourism has existed in ancient cultures. In East Asia, as far back as 5,000 years ago, people traveled to India to seek benefits from Ayurvedic medicine, a comprehensive approach to physical and mental health. In the early 1980s, the birth of the Canyon Ranch brand in Tucson, Arizona marked the inception of the world's first integrated resort and holistic health care model.
From these origins, Wellness Resorts have become a destination that brings valuable peace and happiness.
For thousands of years, humans only knew the light of day, fire, and the darkness of night. Nowadays, we spend about 90% of our time indoors, without achieving a proper balance between daylight and darkness.
Each passing day, individuals monitor their physical health, cardiovascular health, hormonal cycles, genetics, thoughts, and diets to become healthier, happier, and more satisfied. Architects and designers are responsible for creating spaces that facilitate these lifestyle choices.
Therefore, understanding the need for sensory experiences and enhancing them through interaction with the surrounding environment is the foundation of health care resort architecture.
Space
Space Allocation
Allocating space for various facilities in the layout of the resort determines the overall success of the design. It is essential to clearly define the hierarchy of spaces: public areas, private areas, and semi-public areas. Spaces should provide comfort for guests, avoiding overcrowding. They should be spacious enough to prevent guests from feeling isolated, yet not too expansive to create a sense of overcrowding.
Spaces designated for different activities need to be seamlessly coordinated to allow guests to transition smoothly from one area to another. Living rooms, bathrooms, spas, and other therapy rooms must have standard dimensions, avoiding cramped conditions. Specific spaces for particular age groups and individuals with special needs are often recommended in health care resort facilities.
Design Materials
The narrative of a health care resort is best expressed through locally sourced design materials. It maintains the indigenous design of the resort while also saving costs. Landscaping and artificial decor are essential components for both exterior and interior decoration.
Locally sourced materials enliven the authentic and appealing health care experience for guests. It's not about removing luxurious amenities but rather the intelligent integration of contemporary art with locally sourced materials that designers have demonstrated for the health care concept of the resort.
Surroundings
Passive and Active Design
Active design provides easy access to activities based on nature such as hiking, natural trails, mountain climbing, birdwatching, fishing, organic farming, cooking, etc., enhancing the attractiveness of the resort.
Passive design of the resort is influenced by the local climate and socio-economic cultural traditions, primarily reflected in the resort's facade, roof, windows, ventilation system, lighting, heating, and cooling of the buildings.
Sustainability
Energy-efficient design focusing on natural light and airflow lays the foundation for sustainable design. Responsible selection of materials free from chemicals and pollutants ensures no health risks are posed.
Sound :
Architecture and spatial layout should be designed to minimize external noise and create a quiet, relaxing space suitable for rest.
Terrain design can be optimized to absorb and disperse sound. Utilizing terrain features such as ravines, cliffs, or trees can reduce sound reflection and help control noise levels. Using sound-absorbing materials such as carpets, foam, wood, or specialized acoustic materials can help minimize echoes
Natural sounds can help create a sense of connection with nature and the surrounding environment, enhancing the guests' feeling of closeness and satisfaction while spending time outdoors.
Service
What Story Does Your Wellness Resort Tell?
At the heart of the resort’s exterior design are elements like the roof, entrance, open spaces, gardens, lawns, and community areas, which embody the essence of wellness through their location and surrounding environment. The creative blend of local art and modern design makes the resort stand out among others.
Designers should delve deeply into the unique philosophy of the resort, its surroundings, and the preferences of its guests, weaving these aspects into a compelling narrative—the story the resort aims to tell. This narrative shapes the resort's identity, with key elements such as materials, functionality, and structure serving as the highlighted characters.
Honoring Local Art
Local traditional art reflects the authentic sense that travelers often seek. This is achieved through the thoughtful use of fabrics, earthy colors, and local design patterns to vividly convey the culture and history of the area. Modern wellness architecture seamlessly integrates local art through large and small-scale installations, allowing guests to absorb the essence of the culture and experience the daily life of local people.
You have likely noticed how your body and mind react when approaching a wellness destination. Your breathing slows, muscles relax, and your mind becomes instantly at ease. The psychophysiological impact that a wellness resort can have on guests is significantly influenced by the architecture and design, creating a powerful draw.
