Arctic Aurora Lehen Funtzioa: Spa Erretiroa by Yan Wang

Arctic Aurora Lehen Funtzioa: Spa Erretiroa by Yan Wang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Zilarrezko Saria A' Design Award in Arkitektura, Eraikin eta Egitura Diseinua Competition Category.

ZilarArkitektura· 2025

Arctic Aurora Lehen Funtzioa: Spa Erretiroa

by Yan Wang

Zilarrezko Saria A' Design Award Winner in Arkitektura Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #168458

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

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The Design

About Arctic Aurora Lehen Funtzioa: Spa Erretiroa

Liburuaren Testua: Arctic Aurora spa, bainuetxe eta ostatu-erretiro jasangarria da, Bergeneko mineraletan aberatsa den landa-eremuan kokatua. Aurora boreala inspirazio-iturri hartuta, diseinuak inguruko paisaia barneko aterpe lasaira bideratzen du bere forma jariakor eta isuriaren bidez. Eraikin osoan zehar ura askatasunez higitzea ahalbidetzen duen geometria zirkular sinple batek finkatuta, programa pixkanaka aldatzen da funtzio publikoetatik pribatuetara.

The Recognition

About the Zilarrezko Saria A' Design Award

Arctic Aurora Lehen Funtzioa: Spa Erretiroa Zilarrezko Saria A' Design Award irabazlea da, goi-mailako, zoragarriak eta liluragarriak diren diseinuei ematen zaien ezohiko aitorpen prestijiotsua. Zilar-mailako irabazleak lan oso distiratsuak eta sormen biziko lanak dira, beren diseinatzaileen aditutasun, talentu eta zorroztasun nabarmenak erakusten dituztenak. Arctic Aurora Lehen Funtzioa: Spa Erretiroa erakusleiho-lan zoragarria, nabarmenki profesionala eta sakonki berritzailea izatea espero da. Zilarrezko Saria A' Design Award irabazi duen diseinu hau asmakizun oso nabarmena eta miretsia da, onura ekartzen duena eta artearen, zientziaren, diseinuaren eta teknologiaren mugak zabaltzen dituena. Arctic Aurora Lehen Funtzioa: Spa Erretiroa jende askok inbidia duen sorkuntza da, desirak pizten dituena, sentimendu positiboak ekartzen dituena eta harridura eta txunditzea pizten dituena.

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