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Designing Wellness: the Sensory Experience According to SPA Designer Claudia Taiani

Architect and SPA designer, Claudia Taiani is the creative mind behind many of the wellness areas at Aquardens, the largest thermal park in Italy. Since 2015, she has collaborated with the facility overseeing concept development, design, and project management, contributing to the continuous evolution of a complex that blends architecture, nature, and wellness rituals.

Her vision places the user’s sensory experience at the center, integrating technology and emotion, functionality and perception, in spaces where light, materials, and sound become part of a regenerating journey.
In this interview, Claudia shares her approach to spa design, her relationship with the natural context and the client, the challenges of complex construction sites, and her experience with Aquardens, a true laboratory of ideas and innovation. Topics also include the role of the Experience Shower and the balance between design, technology, and authentic wellness.

SPA DESIGN AND CONCEPT

What is the starting point when designing a spa?

The starting point is always the experience that, once its characteristics are shared with the client, we want the user to live. A spa is not just a place to see, but above all a place to experience: it is atmosphere, light, warmth, and material.

I focus on how people will move, what they will feel, and how they can regenerate. Architecture serves well-being.

What role does the natural or urban context play in spa design?

It is fundamental. The context becomes an integral part of the project: if we are immersed in nature, it should enter the spaces through large windows, natural materials, and visual continuity.

In an urban context, the design must create a protected oasis, capable of isolating and at the same time welcoming, ideally reflecting the distinctive features of the surrounding territory.

Designing Wellness: the sensory experience according to Claudia Taiani

How is technical functionality balanced with the sensory experience?

Technology must be as unobtrusive as possible, serving comfort and safety without overpowering the atmosphere. The challenge lies in integrating complex systems – HVAC, acoustics, lighting – so that the user perceives only harmony and well-being. Normally, apart from a few elements, the technical systems remain hidden from the user’s view. In the case of the Desert Sauna, currently the largest in the world, the technical components related to the show are visible, though protected, while the remaining equipment has a strong perceptual presence but remains unseen by the user.

How important are light, materials, and sound in designing a wellness space?

They are central elements. Light is not just illumination but a language: it creates emotion, depth, intimacy, can expand or contract spaces, make them static or dynamic, playful or relaxing. Materials must engage the senses; through touch, sight, and smell, they should evoke naturalness. Sound is also a design element: silence, music, and the sound of water all contribute to the sensory experience.

How can architecture contribute to “deep wellness” and not just aesthetics?

Architecture can educate wellness by creating spaces that encourage slowing down, breathing, and reconnecting with oneself through fluid, non-linear paths, designing sightlines that invite observation and experience. When I design, I always aim to provide a sense of regeneration, focusing not only on formal beauty but on perception and movement, drawing on principles from the psychology of living spaces.

Critical issues encountered on a Spa construction

CONSTRUCTION SITE AND KEY OPERATIONAL ASPECTS

What are the main challenges encountered on a spa construction site?

The main challenges are the complexity of the systems and the tight timelines, as well as the organization of specialized skills during construction, which must be carefully coordinated and supervised.

A spa requires extremely high standards in terms of technology and construction quality. In a sauna like the Desert Sauna, which becomes a show sauna, additional complexities arise: high temperatures, increased humidity levels during aufguss rituals managed by each master according to the show, and the technical systems dedicated to the show, which have specific operational characteristics that must be carefully considered in detail.

How is coordination managed between designers, consultants, system engineers, and specialized suppliers?

Through constant dialogue and clear direction, sharing the common goal of creating a pioneering, almost experimental project. It is a collaborative effort: everyone brings specific expertise, and the architect serves as the point of synthesis.

How important is the architect’s presence on-site during the execution phase?

It is essential. On-site decisions often need to be made immediately, details must be checked in real time, and any changes must respect the concept, quality, and timelines. My presence ensures consistency and maintains high standards.

Is there an on-site experience that taught you something important?

Every construction site teaches me something. I recall the inauguration of the Desert Sauna: just days before opening, we faced minor technical issues during rehearsal of the shows, during which all technological components were tested. Like in an orchestra, these elements worked in harmony to make the experience spectacular. It was a clear demonstration that resilience and collaboration make all the difference.

Which aspects should never be underestimated during construction?

The quality of materials, installation timing, and safety. Even the smallest detail, if neglected, can compromise the overall experience.

THE EXPERIENCE WITH AQUARDENS

What is your role at Aquardens and how long have you been working there?

I have been collaborating with Aquardens since 2015 as a designer and project manager for various areas where new buildings were developed, as well as for the relooking of spaces that required both functional and aesthetic updates, including interior, color, and lighting design.

What sets Aquardens apart from other similar projects you have worked on?

Its scale and vision. Aquardens is a continuously evolving thermal park that integrates architecture, nature, and wellness rituals into a unique whole. It serves as a sort of laboratory where experimentation and growth are constant.

What is the biggest challenge in a thermal park of this size?

Maintaining coherence and identity, while continuously working on expansions and variants, related to the needs the company encounters over time. Each new space must dialogue with the existing ones and reinforce the experience, which is differentiated by usage areas and themes.

Have you introduced any particular innovations in the project?

Yes, for example, the introduction of dancing fountains for the first time in a sauna, the use of spotlights and technologies strictly linked to the show with dynamic lights and color, and technical provisions for their use, as the conditions inside the cabin are normally unique and must be designed with care and attention.

What do you think is the most successful space and why

Naturally, the Desert Sauna within the dedicated area: an iconic place, capable of hosting hundreds of people without losing intimacy, thanks to the balance between monumental size and sensory warmth, maintaining the focus on the stage that revolves around a large central brazier, where the show takes place. Furthermore, the sauna space was designed to be projected outwards where a stage opens up, amplifying the overall dimension.

CLIENT RELATIONSHIP AND STRATEGY

How important is the client’s vision in defining the concept?

It is central: the project always starts from a dialogue with the entrepreneurial vision, through a continuous exchange of information and ideas that lead to the actual design.

How do you manage discussions with entrepreneurs or managers who have highly commercial objectives?

Fortunately, in the case of the Desert Sauna, beyond purely commercial goals, the focus is always on the overall experience the client can enjoy. In general, it’s a matter of balance: sharing the project objectives, the quality to be delivered, and the experience to be provided, so that a high-quality project also generates long-term economic value.

How to understand the value of architecture in the Spa field?

How do you convey the value of architecture in a spa setting?

By showing and sharing how every choice of layout, circulation, and material collectively impacts the end-user experience. Dialogue is essential, as these decisions influence broader management; solutions must support and facilitate the work of operators.

Is there a part of the work that clients often underestimate?

The importance of details, especially when changes occur during construction. Sometimes time is needed for evaluation, design, and verification while maintaining agreed standards, which may not always align with the need to meet fixed deadlines.

Have you ever had to “educate” the client on fundamental design aspects?

Yes, occasionally, particularly on niche topics such as the value of sustainability, air and material quality, and aspects related to the psychology of living spaces, which have become highly requested in recent years. These are invisible but essential elements for delivering true well-being.

TRENDS AND SUSTAINABILITY

What are the most interesting trends in spa design today?

A return to natural elements through the use of authentic materials that provide visual, olfactory, and tactile experiences. A revival of ancient rituals supported by immersive experiences, sometimes enhanced with new technologies, which in turn stimulate the senses and help slow down the fast pace of modern life.

How does the project change based on the target audience?

The target significantly influences the design, both in terms of use and budget. For spas designed for couples, intimate and cozy spaces are prioritized, while for families, playful and flexible areas are included so that all members, even the youngest, can enjoy them.

Economically, a higher budget allows for more experimentation, but my goal is always to deliver beauty regardless of this aspect. Every project, in short, is an enjoyable “challenge.”

What role does sustainability play in your design approach?

It is a guiding principle: I use certified materials, low-impact technologies, preferably with life cycles that promote reuse, and energy efficiency strategies. Since the beginning of my career, I have followed training paths that have strengthened my sensitivity to this topic, which has now become widely discussed.

Do you apply the concept of biophilia in your projects?

Absolutely: in creating spaces that regenerate the human/nature connection, it is essential. This involves using natural geometric forms, fluid paths and shapes, incorporating greenery, or decorative elements that evoke the natural world, all aimed at stimulating deep wellness. In my projects, the use of sinuous patterns within spas is a distinctive feature.

What is your view on immersive or digital technologies in spas?

They are interesting as long as they do not compromise the authentic experience. Today, technology offers many possibilities, and when integrated during the design process, it allows the project and spaces to be dynamic. Tools must necessarily support, not replace, the authentic wellness experience. In short, I strongly believe in technology serving the design.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

What excites you most about designing a spa?

In a way, spa design has always captivated me, so much that I pursued training in wellness across various disciplines, not just technical ones. These projects offer the chance to design experiences by playing with shapes, materials, light, colors, sounds, and scents, requiring continuous exploration.

For a creative person like myself, they provide the opportunity to fully engage and ensure that each project is unique.

Do you have a personal definition of wellness?

For me, wellness means balance: between inside and outside, light and shadow, time for oneself and shared time. It is about savoring experiences through the senses and breath. It involves stimulation through observation, touch, and smell.

Architectural design helps enhance this concept through thoughtful choices. Today’s society, with its fast pace, often moves away from this idea of balance, so finding a space—both physical and temporal—to reconnect with oneself is true wellness.

Is there a spa in the world you wish you had designed?

Certainly, I have visited several facilities, some of which, due to their unique characteristics, would have been interesting to participate in designing. Looking to the future, I am confident that such opportunities will come!

How to design a Spa according to Spa Designer Claudia Taiani

What advice would you give to a young architect who wants to specialize in this field?

Study, observe, and most importantly, experience spas firsthand. Only by immersing yourself can you build your own concept of wellness, understand what works and what can be improved, and develop the mindset needed to add real value to a spa project.

AQUAFORM

During the design phase, what aspects are considered essential to make an experience shower truly engaging?

First and foremost, technical feasibility depending on whether the project is a brand-new facility, offering more freedom, or a renovation of an existing structure, where constraints are more evident.

The features of the proposed product must align with the experience you want to create—for example, the sequence of light, water, temperature, and aromas, which need to interact to stimulate all the senses. Innovation is also key: I am very curious, and maintaining a high level of wonder helps me propose consistently unique solutions.

Are there differences in the use of experience showers in urban spas compared to thermal spas?

Yes, to some extent. Urban spas require different considerations than thermal spas. The physical dimensions of the spaces vary greatly between the two types, as does the number of people using them. Therefore, the choice of experience showers, in terms of both experience and quantity, differs: in an urban spa, they often become a central experience, while in a thermal spa, they integrate into a broader wellness journey.

Experience showers are often perceived as a “transition,” but is it possible to make them a central experience?

I believe so, by carefully designing the experiential journey you want to offer and the emotions you want users to feel. The shower itself becomes marginal if considered in isolation; combined with technology that plays with water, light, color, intensity, sound, aromas, and sequences that can vary depending on whether the user seeks relaxation, revitalization, or energizing effects, it can become a central experience within the overall spa design.

What are the main design mistakes when integrating an experience shower into a spa journey?

Focusing only on the technical aspects and finishes of the shower. While these are important, the shower should be seen as a tool to reinforce the overall concept and experiential objectives agreed with the client. Emotion remains central in designing a wellness-focused space.

How can design help “educate” users to correctly use a Kneipp path?

Through intuitive design and communication that gently guides users to the experience, using light, discreet but clear signage, and technical elements such as easily accessible activation buttons.

Is it possible to reinterpret the Kneipp path in a contemporary way without losing its therapeutic value?

Yes, by using innovative materials and technologies that facilitate maintenance while preserving the sensory and, more importantly, the therapeutic benefits of the path, which stimulates the circulatory system through alternating hot and cold passages. All of this is enhanced by atmospheric effects that, combined with the overall design, maximize the potential of the experience.

We wrap up the interview with a heartfelt thanks to Claudia Taiani, who shared her approach to wellness, where design, technical expertise, and sensory experiences come together to create truly unique and captivating SPAs. Her vision shows how architecture can turn any space into a journey of emotions and rejuvenation.

- Team Aquaform

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