Arnold Studio has designed a mindfulness-oriented spa that takes a new approach to sensory deprivation and float therapy. The space contains a guest reception, pre- and post-float lounges, and 6 walk-in isolation tanks.
The architecture focuses on transition between states of environmental stimulus to prepare the guest for isolation. Moving through the space there is a structured, peeling away, of external light and sound, followed by the gradual introduction of subtle, focused, sensory stimuli.
The sequence of spaces is conceived as a circular path in which the float room marks the midpoint. Guests move from the pre-float lounge through an entry hall, carved into the surrounding walls and clad in charcoal ribbed felt, a natural material used for its sound absorbing properties. This is the access point to the increasingly darker linear main hall from which the float rooms are accessed. The sole feature in this space is a massive, ceiling mounted gold mirror ringed by a low-level light, intended to alter visitors’ visual perception and blur the room’s physical boundaries.
The flotation rooms are intimate spaces entirely clad in cleaved slate stone, as if entering a rockpool. The natural striations of the stone impart a subtle touch sensation and visual texture which is enhanced by the singular nature of the material’s use.
Upon leaving the float room a second hall, similarly clad in ribbed felt, accesses a vanity room and bathroom where the walls and ceilings are finished in a dark royal blue, creating an enveloping color bath.
Finally, guests emerge into the post-float lounge. Here, built-in upholstered seating,
circumscribed by vertical oak batons, is carved into the interior walls and works in opposition to the overhead expression of the ribbed felt that extends from, and thus visually joins, the hallways at opposing ends of the storefront space.
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