Arctic Aurora Sebaka sa Phomolo sa Spa by Yan Wang

Arctic Aurora Sebaka sa Phomolo sa Spa by Yan Wang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Moputso oa Silevera oa A' Design Award in Moralo wa Meaho, Dikaho le Dibopego Competition Category.

SileveraMeaho· 2025

Arctic Aurora Sebaka sa Phomolo sa Spa

by Yan Wang

Moputso oa Silevera oa A' Design Award Winner in Meaho Category

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The Design

About Arctic Aurora Sebaka sa Phomolo sa Spa

Arctic Aurora ke spa e tšoarellang, ntlo ea ho hlapela, le sebaka sa phomolo sa baeti se ka hara naheng ea Bergen e ruileng liminerale. E nka khothatso ho aurora ea Arctic, moralo o kenya tikoloho e potolohileng ka har'a sebaka se khutsitseng se ka hare ka sebopeho sa eona se phallang, se tsamaeang. E theiloe holim'a geometri e bonolo e potolohileng e nolofalletsang metsi ho tsamaea ka bolokolohi ho pholletsa le moaho, lenaneo le fetoha butle-butle ho tloha mesebetsing ea sechaba ho ea ho ea poraefete.

The Recognition

About the Moputso oa Silevera oa A' Design Award

Arctic Aurora Sebaka sa Phomolo sa Spa ke mohapi oa Moputso oa Silevera oa A' Design Award, kananelo e hlomphehang haholo e fuoang meralo e phahameng ka ho fetesisa, e ntle le e tsosang maikutlo. Bahapi ba Silevera ke mesebetsi e khanyang haholo le e nang le boqapi bo ikhethang e bontšang botsebi, talenta le bohlale ba baqapi ba eona. Arctic Aurora Sebaka sa Phomolo sa Spa e lebelletsoe ho ba mosebetsi o motle, oa mohlala, o nang le boprofeshenale bo bonahalang le mehopolo e mecha e tebileng. Moralo ona o hapileng Moputso oa Silevera oa A' Design Award ke mohopolo o hlokomelehang haholo le o ratoang o tlisang molemo mme o sutumelletsang meeli ea bonono, mahlale, moralo le theknoloji. Arctic Aurora Sebaka sa Phomolo sa Spa ke mosebetsi oo batho ba bangata ba o lakatsang, o tsosang litakatso, o tlisang maikutlo a matle le o tsosetsang ho makala le ho hlolla.

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