Atomic Spa Suisse, Milan

29 April 2010

Atomic Spa Suisse, Milan

One of the standout features of the spa is the pool, where treelike structures appear to support the cave-like ceiling studded with chrome-coated mirror bubbles, a recurring feature.

One of the standout features of the spa is the pool, where treelike structures appear to support the cave-like ceiling studded with chrome-coated mirror bubbles, a recurring feature.

One of the standout features of the spa is the pool, where treelike structures appear to support the cave-like ceiling studded with chrome-coated mirror bubbles, a recurring feature.

One of the standout features of the spa is the pool, where treelike structures appear to support the cave-like ceiling studded with chrome-coated mirror bubbles, a recurring feature.

One of the standout features of the spa is the pool, where treelike structures appear to support the cave-like ceiling studded with chrome-coated mirror bubbles, a recurring feature.

A custom-made reception desk in polished white wood is punctured by a single porthole edged in acid green, a recurring accent colour in the spa.

A custom-made reception desk in polished white wood is punctured by a single porthole edged in acid green, a recurring accent colour in the spa.

A custom-made reception desk in polished white wood is punctured by a single porthole edged in acid green, a recurring accent colour in the spa.

A custom-made reception desk in polished white wood is punctured by a single porthole edged in acid green, a recurring accent colour in the spa.

A custom-made reception desk in polished white wood is punctured by a single porthole edged in acid green, a recurring accent colour in the spa.

The relaxation area features loungers in white eco leather, while relaxing colours are projected on to a 10m-wide screen

The relaxation area features loungers in white eco leather, while relaxing colours are projected on to a 10m-wide screen

The relaxation area features loungers in white eco leather, while relaxing colours are projected on to a 10m-wide screen

The relaxation area features loungers in white eco leather, while relaxing colours are projected on to a 10m-wide screen

The relaxation area features loungers in white eco leather, while relaxing colours are projected on to a 10m-wide screen

The sauna is clad in cedar lath and has underlit bench seating

The sauna is clad in cedar lath and has underlit bench seating

The sauna is clad in cedar lath and has underlit bench seating

The sauna is clad in cedar lath and has underlit bench seating

The sauna is clad in cedar lath and has underlit bench seating

The treatment rooms feature the signature acid-green colour in the full-height closet doors, while the floor is in Pru stone, a pink Italian limestone

The treatment rooms feature the signature acid-green colour in the full-height closet doors, while the floor is in Pru stone, a pink Italian limestone

The treatment rooms feature the signature acid-green colour in the full-height closet doors, while the floor is in Pru stone, a pink Italian limestone

The treatment rooms feature the signature acid-green colour in the full-height closet doors, while the floor is in Pru stone, a pink Italian limestone

The treatment rooms feature the signature acid-green colour in the full-height closet doors, while the floor is in Pru stone, a pink Italian limestone

Part of the facilities at the extraordinary new boscolo exedra hotel in milan, this equally extravagant spa, created by self-proclaimed ‘architectural hero’ Simone Micheli makes a stunning statement all of its own

Project: Atomic Spa Suisse

Design: Architect Simone Micheli

Size: 50 sqm

Completion time: 12 months

Atomic Spa Suisse is part of the fabulous Boscolo Exedra Hotel in Milan, which featured on our cover last month, but this interior design scheme by self-proclaimed ‘architectural hero’ Simone Micheli demands to be talked about in its own right.

Extravagantly described by Micheli as ‘a work capable of touching emotions’, Atomic Spa Suisse – comprising treatment cabins, sauna, Turkish bath, large swimming pool with hydro massage jets and relaxation area – is a long way from the pristine minimalism of many hotel spas.

The reception has a curvaceous, custommade desk made of polished white wood, which reflects the light from multicoloured LEDs mounted in the back wall. The desk, which was designed by Micheli and made by Mioblu SpecialWellness, is punctured by a single porthole, edged in acid green, which is lit inside by more LEDs.

To the left of the reception desk is a full-height window printed with random arrangement of words relating to the functions of the spa. Through this visitors are given a tantalising glimpse of the pool and relaxation area, but the graphic limits visibility just enough to keep the main spa area feeling private.

On the reception ceiling,Micheli placed several ‘mirror bubbles’, half-spheres of plastic, coated in chrome. These bubbles are a strong motif throughout the scheme, linking the design of each of the areas.

There are more bubbles on the ceiling of a corridor, which runs from the reception, and gives on to two treatment cabins. In one wall of the corridor, two rounded windows, again edged in acid green and illuminated by LEDs, look into the sauna and the Turkish bath. The outer walls of both the Turkish bath and sauna are mirrored.

The treatment cabins are understated in their design, with Prun stone flooring (a pink Italian limestone), white sink units by Simas Acqua Space and white shelving. But these neutral colours are accented with touches of acid green in the taps, graphics on the entrance doors, door handles, and the doors of floor-to-ceiling built-in closets. The gleaming white of the sink units and shelving reflects coloured LED lighting.

The interior of the Turkish bath is lined with a luxurious white pearl mosaic, and there are white bench seats illuminated from beneath. The sauna is paneled with cedar lath decorated with carved lettering spelling out ‘beauty inspires wonderful thoughts’.

Everything described so far is beautifully conceived, but without a doubt, the most breathtaking parts of this scheme are the swimming pool and the adjacent relaxation areas.

Several large, sinuous tree-like structures made of expanded polypropylene appear to support an undulating, cave-like ceiling studded with hundreds of the same mirror bubbles that are used in the reception and corridor.

In the pool the mirror-bubble edges are lit with blue LEDs and sensationally reflected in the swimming pool, which is lined with white pearl mosaic. By the swimming pool are four showers, two warm, two cold, screened by a fulllength beveled window. The large showerheads are studded with LEDs – blue for cold and red for warm.

Across the Pru stone floor from the pool is the relaxation area, which has six luxurious loungers made of white ‘eco leather’, again designed by Micheli himself. Behind the loungers is a 10m-long screen on to which relaxing colours displays are projected.

Project Suppliers:

Bespoke furniture, swimming pool, Turkish bath and sauna:

Mioblu SpecialWellness

Flooring:

Pietra della Lessinia

Lighting:

iGuzzini Illuminazione

Loungers:

(designed by SimoneMicheli)

Sanitary fittings:

Simas Acqua Space

Sinks: