The LivNordic concept has been created to give guidelines on materials and signature colours to interior designers, who then have the freedom to interpret them in their own way.The aim is for each LivNordic to be a unique representation of innovative individual and local creativity while still offering a distinctly recognisable LivNordic Spa.
Interior Design for LivNordic Spa & Wellness @ Cayan Tower by: Blue Camel Design LLC in association with M+N Architecture
In designing a Nordic-themed luxury SPA in one of the landmark towers of Dubai we had to deal with several key aspects, at times in contrast with each other:
1. Dubai is one of the seven Emirates of the UAE, the most populated and the second largest one. Dubai is the place where palm shaped artificial islands and the tallest building in the world have been built. The place where the third millennium technology finds its maximum expression. A Muslim country with much different laws and regulations as compared to the western world. During the summer temperatures can reach up to 50° C. with very high humidity, a completely different environment from Scandinavia!
2. Cayan tower is one of the most iconic skyscrapers in Dubai, well known for his elegant and sinuous lines and for being the world's tallest high rise building with a twist of 90 degrees. Yet not an easy building to work in, due to its peculiar and ever changing geometry.
3. LivNordic is establishing itself as the new benchmark in Nordic-themed SPA treatments and facilities, where Scandinavian design and clean shapes mix with the lightness of the interior harmony; nutrition, beauty and personal grooming products are the elements which make tangible the inner well-being.
We thought that the characteristic shape of the tower, developed around the central services core, should have been highlighted by a conscious internal flow system. The central core, which includes the vertical connections, generates a never ending aisle around itself. We identified two diverging points, both at the same distance from the elevators and from the reception area, which we turned into the two entrances to the changing rooms (male and female). Along such aisle an elegant cafè/juice bar can be found in direct connection with the outside terrace; here users find healthy drinks and snacks as well as beauty and wellness products.
From each changing room there is direct access to the wet area, which includes whirlpools, saunas and steam rooms all the way towards the relax areas. From there, a long corridor characterized by the birchwood 3D wallpapers, is split into two by a door which is the boundary between the male and female areas. Back-lit birch leaves serve as the DND signs for the treatment rooms: LivNordicturquoise when free, soft red when occupied.
Other features of the traditional Nordic SPA experience which we re-interpreted and adapted to the Dubai environment include:
1. Visual fireplaces in strategic areas throughout the spa, including reception. These are steam & light fireplaces for visual effect rather than warmth
2. Natural wood furniture and lampshades, contrasting with stone coloured and full height glass walls and windows for a warm, contemporary interior
3. Nordic Bathing pool mosaic tiles reflect the colour of the Baltic sea washing over pebbles
4. Steam room mosaic tiles echo shades of slate reflecting the starry night ceiling.
5. Birchwood 3D wall-paper in the corridor to the treatment rooms, for a Nordic woodland walk.
6. Back-lit birch leaves as the DND signs for the treatment rooms. LivNordic turquoise when free, soft red when occupied.
7. Natural wood wall panelling and wooden floors in selected guest and treatment areas
8. Stylised birch trees carved into the walls of the treatment rooms. Where the branches touch the ceiling of the treatment room, they transform into strips of light along the ceiling.
9. Relaxation areas dedicated to the Aurora Borealis. Lounges are wave shaped, ceiling blinds in wave shapes inspired by the flowing Borealis lights.
10. The landscaping on the spa terrace was created to give a stylised representation of Cayan Tower, also known as the twisted tower, when viewed from above.
