The word elysium in Greek mythology meant the island of the blissful - a place on the western edge of the earth where the gods can transfer their favorites alive, immortal heroes living there in constant spring and without worries.
When designing the spa in the middle of the historical center of Bratislava, we came out from the need to break free from the daily cycle and calm down. This space is a meditative hiding place from the outside world. We build the concept of an urban spa on the perceptions of space as a temple for the body. The reference is the historical public baths Grössling, which are located nearby and provided visitors with the purifying procedures of body and soul.
Through an hidden entrance from Grösslingova Street, we dive into the basement of a historic building via the original stone staircase. In the former cellars, we preserved the original brick vaulted ceiling. We build the concept on embedded objects and a combination of terrazzo, brick, cobalt and black cladding or wood materials.
These objects define the interspace that winds freely around the entire spa. In the second plan, we work with light. With natural, which enters through existing window openings or skylight and is dynamic during the day.
The experience is unique in every time and period. Or with the artificial, which is based on the functional substance, but also underlines the overall intimate atmosphere of the space. A visit to the elysium spa is supposed to be a kind of experiential path of purification and slowing down - therefore an art piece - the Trajectory of Movement by Stanislav Ondruš works as a reference to it.
The benefit of the space is also an outdoor terrace in the courtyard, where is a mobile sauna with sun loungers situated. The unknown combination thus creates a new relationship with the city and the neighborhood. New vistas and new experiences.
Team:
Lead Architects: Andrej Olah, Filip Marcak, Matej Kurajda
Design Team: Andrej Olah, Filip Marcak, Matej Kurajda,
Clients: Elysium spa
Collaborators: Painting on walls – Stanislav Ondrus
Materials Used:
ash veneer – furniture in the space
poplar wood – material of sauna and zen booths
black varnished MDF – entrance elements according to the author's design
blue ceramics – surfaces: bar counter, rest area
black ceramics – surfaces: hygienic spaces
brick – vaulted ceilings
terrazzo – floor in space
galvanized sheets – HVAC distribution
concrete - entrance historical staircase
System ceramic tiles (blue and black) — Ceramica Vogue
Adria L1 and Elsa lights — Osmont
Compendium light — Luceplan
Tereza TA101 terrazzo tiles — Cidemat
Drop sauna oven — HUUM
