The creative driving force behind Sparcstudio, Beverley has a passion for spa and hotel design. She told Editor, Vicky Doe, about the latest trends coming through the sector and the inspiration she harnesses to create the standout designs that the studio is known for.
A specialist in the creation of uplifting and unique wellness spaces, Beverley Bayes works alongside her Sparcstudio co-founders to pool their expertise and deliver designs with ‘heart and soul’.
Based in Richmond, West London, the studio is led by Beverley and her co-founders Neil Fairplay and Tom Howell, with each director taking a hands-on approach to the operation and contributing their own set of skills to the process. Beverley has a background in product design, whilst Tom is an Architect by trade and Neil is a furniture designer.
Their beautiful designs can be seen at many locations across the UK and abroad, including Sopwell Cottonmill Spa, South Lodge Spa and The Reeds Lodges, Dormy House Spa and Calcot Spa amongst many others.
The team at Sparcstudio have seen that clients’ demands in spa design have transformed, with a spa no longer seen as an add-on. Beverley explained: “There is a huge rise of wellness-focussed travellers who are looking for more than skin deep pampering/beauty experiences. They are, instead, seeking a deep connection to nature, tailored results-driven fitness, a disconnect from technology and the ability reconnect with friends and family, all delivered in a soothing, uplifting and sustainable environment.”
With this change in clientele to bear in mind, designers have had to create concepts to suit, changing the trends that are coming through the industry. Beverley shared some of these key themes with us: “It’s an incredibly exciting time in the world of spa and wellness design. Hoteliers, developers, and the general public are much more spa and wellness savvy and want to enjoy the benefits that a spa can bring, with a great focus on improving physical and mental health and wellbeing. For operators and owners, this not only raises the profile of the business, but enhancing facilities with considered, sustainable design makes good business sense and, when done correctly, can significantly improve revenue and return on investment.”
She explained four key concepts that she has seen arising over the last few years. This first of these is ‘Sweat Culture’, Beverley explained: “Saunas have been an integral part of wellness rituals in the spa market for decades, but there is a new emerging sweat culture that is set to change the way people enjoy heat experiences in the next five years. Saunas set in a natural landscape such as beach, lakeside or forest setting offer true connection to the elements, large, glazed walls allow the guest to enjoy a view of the changing sky and an opportunity to plunge into a cold sea, natural pool and relax by an open fire.”
The second recurring theme that the team have noted is that of flowing natural spaces and up-cycled elements. Beverley detailed: “Flowing organic space planning will continue to be an important part of our design approach going forward, reflecting a softer more natural biophilic feel. Specification of sustainable and upcycled materials is the new normal.”
Thirdly, Beverley explained that immersive spa experiences are becoming an important consideration for designers: “Whilst connection to nature will continue to be a central theme for spas, we are also anticipating a rise in the design of truly ‘immersive’ spa interior spaces and experiences. Advances in technology will see the use of back and front projected imagery to floors, ceilings and walls. When this is combined with heat or hydro pools, a yoga studio or spin class it can create a totally unique environment. An example of this can be witnessed at QC Terme Milano ‘secret spa’, which has multiple immersive experience rooms including a ‘rain room’ with rain showers, immersive video skyscape of stormy skies located around a submerged hydro pool.
“Examples of more ‘physical’ immersive spaces can be experienced within the our Aqua Sana Forest spas, where guests can gaze out over panoramic views of the forest canopy in the Treetop Sauna, listen to the trickling water in Longleat’s Forest Cavern or gaze up at the magical changing sky as it phases from dusk to dawn to daylight in the Forest Meditation room.”
Her final ‘top tip’ for design trends is that of ‘Intuitive tech’. Beverley explained: “With the growth of technology in spas, including the recent rise in Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy and cryotherapy machines, careful consideration needs to be given to the design of the spa to accommodate large equipment like this. Physically, they take a lot of floor space, but more importantly spas need to ensure that these facilities remain a luxury experience in keeping with other elements of the spa.”
With these concepts in mind, I was keen to hear from Beverley about the errors that can be made in the process of designing for wellness and how these can be avoided. “There are so many very expensive pitfalls in the design of wellness spaces, which is why we believe they require a true specialist, such as ourselves!
“One of the most costly errors to rectify is in the detailing of thermal and pool areas – it’s impossible to create a luxury feel to a spa if pool and changing rooms are awash with standing water due to insufficient falls to drains or if incorrect floor tiles are specified.
“Another big design error is not getting the spa journey or space planning right, and ending up with a non-intuitive, long convoluted journey through lots of boring corridors that require masses of signage to orientate guests. We design the journey as part of the experience, so like to offer tantalising glimpses into zones along the way and always end the journey opening onto or connecting with nature, whether it’s a spa garden or beautiful view across an infinity edge pool!”
With so many links being made to nature and the natural world within spa design, I was keen to find out how sustainability planning plays a role in the design process. Beverley explained: “Sustainability in spas has been firmly in the spotlight for some years, but it is now that we are seeing the true innovation in terms of sustainable materials and finishes that are available. We are excited to discover a range of UK-based companies producing a wealth of sustainably sourced and innovative products. Many of these sustainable materials also have health and comfort benefits, including reducing noise, providing thermal insulation, and are non-toxic or boast low VOC’s emissions.
“Longevity is also a key element in the creation of a sustainable environment, specification of robust materials as the core palette and details that withstand the effect of steam, heat and water are essential. We plan and design projects for longevity and we are very proud of how good our projects look five years on.”
So what is next for this exciting studio? More and more, it seems! Beverley explained that as hotel developers recognise the importance of wellbeing spaces, the team are looking forward to sharing their vast knowledge and skills: “We’re excited to bring our spa expertise and sensibilities into many other areas of design throughout hotels, including bedrooms and bathrooms which we see as an excellent opportunity to create mini sanctuaries or private spas. The future longevity and sustainability of our company relies on succession so sharing our knowledge and nurturing talent is key. We’ve no desire for to become a huge organisation, as we enjoy the close relationships, sometimes going back decades that we enjoy with our entrepreneurial hotel clients.
“Our current focus is on a long, healthy and creative life, designing environments that benefit deep health, whist at the same time ideally engaging in a healthier lifestyle balance ourselves!”
