“Inspired by bathing traditions from Italy, Turkey, Morocco and Japan, yet unmistakably Scandinavian.”

The elements are two in number:

Water ­– hot, cold, steam, snow

Light – raking, indirect

Likewise, the materials are two in number:

Stone – light-coloured, Carrara marble

Wood – blond Scandinavian oak, aspen

Located in the historical central district of Bergen, in a partially-excavated site – the discovery of medieval artefacts prolonged the construction period – beneath the recently-opened Skostredet Hotel, also designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune Architects.

The Spa is reached through the Skostredet hotel, but is a separate service and a ‘hidden world’ in its own right. The cavern-like preconditions inspired the layout, formed from a succession of intimate rooms, including hot baths, cold-plunge, sauna (large enough for ‘aufguss’ ceremonies), steam bath, snow-room, treatments, gym and relax spaces. All areas and all details have been designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune Architects.

To balance the density of different functions, long sightlines throughout the Spa were established in order to bind together the spatial experience as a whole. Long, solid stone benches indicate the directional flow of the interior space. Carefully crafted solid and semi-open walls define each transition, from one function and room to the next.