Les Bains de la Gruyère, a spa centre located in Charmey, Switzerland, offers indoor and outdoor pools filled with mineral water, saunas, hammams and a wellness area dedicated to relaxation. The refurbishment project focused on the interior spaces of the wellness area on the first floor, with the aim of enhancing the sensory experience through a contemporary, material-focused design language.
The work focused on cladding and fixed furnishings, leaving the existing structure and systems unchanged. At the heart of the project is the redevelopment of the circular route connecting the massage rooms and relaxation areas, reinterpreted as a transitional space where light interacts with contrasting surfaces.
One side of the corridor features full-height slatted panelling, which provides visual and acoustic comfort whilst evoking Alpine architecture in a minimalist style. On the opposite side, burnished and satin-finished metal panels create iridescent effects thanks to the natural light from the patio, expanding the perception of space whilst maintaining a sense of intimacy through visual filters towards the internal garden. The massage rooms have been redesigned with the same approach, incorporating panelling, new graphics and an original ‘vacant/occupied’ signage system for privacy. The new sand-coloured resin flooring completes a project that renews aesthetics and comfort, enhancing the interplay between wood and metal.
The design approach allowed for a drastic reduction in the impact of the building works, which were of very limited duration and had to comply with the requirement to keep the spa open during the works. The materials chosen were selected for their aesthetic value, their durability in high-humidity environments and their ease of maintenance.
