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Carl Longman, Associate at G.A Group was recently interviewed by Technogym and featured in Commercial Interior Design in the Middle East, for his involvement in AWAKEN Spa at Atlantis The Royal and emerging wellness trends…
Atlantis The Royal brings a new generation of luxury resort to Dubai.
This iconic landmark of Dubai welcomes guests to an experience that transcends. A destination where everything has been designed to challenge the boundaries of imagination, Atlantis The Royal comprises a collection of 795 elegant Rooms, Suites and Signature Penthouses. Located at the lower ground level of Atlantis The Royal, AWAKEN includes both indoor and outdoor facilities consisting of 15 therapy, VIP, and specialty suites, which feature fireplaces, personal styling studios for men and women and so much more.
What are the three biggest trends emerging in wellness design?
G.A Group –
Sustainability – Something that is being talked about throughout the architectural interior design industry but is even more prominent in wellness design to create an holistic wellness experience for guests. There are many ways in which a designer can achieve a sustainable approach with many suppliers and manufacturers providing sustainably sourced materials. This is the obvious route, but there are many other avenues of achieving a sustainable design such as the use of natural light, the flow of air throughout the space and utilising a connection to outside and the importance this has mentally.
This leads nicely on to another trend which is the connection with nature and biophilia. Of course, the other key wellness trend is a personalised service, tailoring to the individuals’ specific needs.
This feature has developed with the use of integrated technology that can enable the trainer and equipment to instantly understand the guests needs and respond to unlock the maximum potential.
Images below from 1 Hotel, Mayfair – G.A Group most recent sustainable project, connecting with nature.
Photo Credit – Jon Day Photography (lobby) Milo Brown (guestroom)
What is driving these trends?
Connectivity, we are all more connected. Our connection and awareness to the impact we are having on the planet through living our daily lives and we need to feel there is balance in what we are doing, through the skin tonics use in our spas, to the products we consume as part of a recovery programme or diet. This awareness drives the need for the built environment and overall design philosophy to evolve and connect with this. Connectivity in the sense of fitness trackers, on our phones or on our wrists now track our performance and fitness goals. If a guest visits a hotel, perhaps only for a few nights, they want to be able to continue this but also build on what they have with the offing in terms of intuitive intelligent equipment and expert personal guidance.
How has the design landscape changed when it comes to gyms and wellness-focus spaces and why?
They are destinations in themselves, have become more unique and more of an escape from the outside world. Design has moved with this, and the spaces are more immersive, detailed and tech driven but also luxurious which creates more rewarding spaces to be in mentally and physically.
Image below from AWAKEN relaxation area at Atlantis The Royal
Photo credit – Provided by Kerzner International (Brandon Barre Photography)
While working on a wellness area such as AWAKEN, how does the creative process start and where do you look for inspiration?
We start with research, forming an understanding which leads us into creating a narrative, the story that forms the basis of the design that channels and focuses our thought process. This then forms the backbone of the project moving forward and influences our layouts, details, and materiality.
Images below – research into materiality and layout of salon within the wellness area at Atlantis The Royal dating back to 2018.
What are the major considerations when creating a wellness/gym area in hotels?
Creating a space which guest are drawn to, a destination space where people want to be. Ultimately, we want to create an environment that has a vibe and creates it own energy and builds and grows off that. I’ve been to many hotel gyms around the world, the good ones create this energy, the bad ones remain empty.
Below image – AWAKEN Spa indoor pool at Atlantis The Royal
Photo credit – Provided by Kerzner International (Brandon Barre Photography)
As wellness has become a focus point across the board, how will it influence the design of commercial spaces such as hotels and offices?
Operators and developers understand and value the importance of wellness and how it’s become a focal element in our daily lives. This is bringing wellness to the forefront of design philosophy and offering to the user in general, no longer is about just including a destination spa or gym, but a holistic connected experience where the boundaries between hotel and wellness facility are blurred.
Hotels and offices now have wellness at their core, a fully integrated concept, from curated F&B to the importance of sleep and recovery both mentally and physically, a connected and balanced environment.
Below image – Treatment room at AWAKEN spa, Atlantis The Royal
Photo credit – Provided by Kerzner International (Brandon Barre Photography)
Explore Atlantis The Royal interiors by G.A Group…
