AVS. Arkitektúr verktækni skipulag - 01.12.2003, Qupperneq 69

An „Oasis“ in Reykjavík
NordicaSpa stand out in comparison
with other spas, in lceland as well as
internationally.
NordicaSpa has floorspace of 870
square meters, and divides into three
main sections: the gym and work-
out area; the spa, offering two aroma
steamrooms, two jacuzzis and a
sitting-pool, as well as an indoor
relaxation area, and an outdoor
sauna with sun-deck; and a therapy
area with eleven rooms for individual
face- and body therapy and mas-
sage.
The NordicaSpa, located within the
premises of Nordica Hotel, is cur-
rently one of the hottest places in
Reykjavík. After all, who wouldn't
dream of slipping into a relaxed geot-
hermal-water pool alighted by gentle
lighting, closing their eyes as hands
slowly massage the tension away?
Architect Björgvin Snæbjörnsson,
head designer of renovating
NordicaSpa, explains, „it was crucial
to create a warm and relaxing envi-
ronment using subjects deriving from
our closest nature and bringing the
sense of an oasis in the city center.
At the main desk upon arrival,
an entire wall is covered in stone
pebbles, setting the tone of what is
about to come. In the spa area, the
walls are covered in icelandic rock;
the ceiling is of wood and columns
are decorated with glass mosaic in
green and blue. The pathway
towards the hot pools, and to the
relaxation area, is from columnar
jointing basalts."
The materials and lighting are not
only used to determine and divide
areas, but also to bring out the
forms, which, in return, projects the
mystical and fused environment
desired. This is what makes
NordicaSpa is the makeover of an
existing spa, built in 1997. The key
to the design was to utilise the exist-
ing saunas and spa area, yet con-
necting them to the new concept.
The changing areas were defined as
too small, so the two older rooms
were combined, and another locker
room added to the other side of the
pool area. The sitting-pool was
added to the spa area as a new fea-
ture to the existíng jacuzzis.
As someone once said, you can
actually have your cake, and eat it,
too! ■
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