Arctic Aurora Спа-рэтрыт by Yan Wang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Срэбная прэмія A' Design Award in Дызайн архітэктуры, будынкаў і канструкцый Competition Category.

СрэбраАрхітэктура· 2025

Arctic Aurora Спа-рэтрыт

by Yan Wang

Срэбная прэмія A' Design Award Winner in Архітэктура Category

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The Design

About Arctic Aurora Спа-рэтрыт

«Арктычнае ззянне» — гэта ўстойлівы спа-комплекс, лазня і гасцявы рэтрыт, размешчаны ў багатай мінераламі сельскай мясцовасці Бергена. Чэрпаючы натхненне з арктычнага ззяння, праект накіроўвае навакольны ландшафт у спакойны ўнутраны прытулак праз сваю плыўную, цякучую форму. Замацаваная простай кругавой геаметрыяй, якая дазваляе вадзе свабодна перамяшчацца па ўсёй будыніне, праграма паступова пераходзіць ад публічных да прыватных функцый.

The Recognition

About the Срэбная прэмія A' Design Award

Arctic Aurora Спа-рэтрыт — пераможца Срэбнай прэміі A' Design Award, надзвычай прэстыжнага прызнання, якое прысуджаецца дызайнам вышэйшага класа, цудоўным і ўражальным. Срэбныя пераможцы — гэта надзвычай бліскучыя і вельмі творчыя працы, якія ілюструюць выдатную кампетэнтнасць, талент і праніклівасць сваіх дызайнераў. Чакаецца, што Arctic Aurora Спа-рэтрыт — гэта цудоўная, паказальная праца, надзвычай прафесійная і глыбока інавацыйная. Гэты дызайн, што атрымаў Срэбную прэмію A' Design Award, — вельмі значнае, вартае захаплення вынаходніцтва, якое прыносіць карысць і пашырае межы мастацтва, навукі, дызайну і тэхналогій. Arctic Aurora Спа-рэтрыт — гэта твор, якому шмат хто зайздросціць, што абуджае жаданні, дорыць пазітыўныя пачуцці і запальвае здзіўленне і захапленне.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The Arctic Aurora Spa Rertreat is an eco-friendly spa, bathhouse, and guest retreat set in Bergen's mineral-rich countryside. Inspired by the aurora in the Arctic sky, the design filters the external world into an inner sanctuary through a fluid, flowing form. Following a simple circular geometry which allow water to flow freely throughou the building, the function gets increasingly private. The spatial expression also transitions from an open and communal to an intimate human-scale space.
Dimensions & Packaging: 80m x 80m x 10m
Tags: Bathhouse, Arctic, Landscape, Water, Concept, SPA, Retreat,
Production Technology: The building's structure is made of cross-laminated timber sourced from local forests, ensuring sustainability and a strong connection to its surroundings. The exterior walls are finished with white-dyed clay, while the roof and opaque walls incorporate high-performance vacuum insulation to enhance thermal efficiency. In areas with storefront glazing, triple-glazed insulated glass units (TGUs) provide excellent acoustic, thermal, and energy performance. For mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, a geothermal pump is utilized for heating, further reinforcing the project's commitment to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Design Challenge: Architectural tectonics and technology present the primary challenge, particularly in achieving energy efficiency and thermal performance under arctic conditions. Innovative materials such as TGU (triple-glazed laminated glass units) and vacuum-insulated panels have been explored to optimize thermal insulation, ensuring both environmental performance and thermal comfort within the bathhouse.
Research: The project is rooted in the study of circulation and the spatial negotiation between public and private realms. The program of the bathhouse, encompassing lounge areas and gathering spaces, acts as a mediator along the gradient from intimate, secluded experiences to more communal, shared encounters.
Inspiration: The project is inspired by the aurora in the Arctic sky. It embraces the concepts of fluidity and flow, allowing water to move continuously throughout the bathhouse. The circulation path and function follow this natural movement, shaping the building into a circular form.
Project Duration: The project started in December 2021 in Bergen, Norwary
Operation Flow: The site is nestled in the rural landscape of Bergen, where the architectural composition is organized around a central atrium. Both circulation and thermal baths are choreographed along the perimeter of this opening, establishing a spatial sequence that blurs the boundary between interior and exterior. The stark contrast between the enclosed spaces and the surrounding nature, while maintaining a constant visual connection, offers guests a heightened sensorial experience.
Team Members: Yan Wang
Image Credits: Yan Wang