In this interview, Irina Siridova of Blue Rakun shares her approach to designing SPA and wellness spaces, where architecture, materials, light, and water come together to create immersive experiences that engage the senses, promote inner balance, and leave a lasting emotional impression.
Irina, how did you first become involved in designing spa and wellness spaces?
Was there a particular project or moment that led you in this direction?
My path into wellness design began with a fascination for how space shapes a person, their state, mood, even their habits. At some point I realised design could be more than aesthetics and function; it could be a form of care.
A pivotal chapter was my work with an Austrian company that, at the time, was a leader in planning and outfitting spa and wellness areas. They had delivered more than 400 high-end hotel projects worldwide, and that is where I fell in love with wellness design.
I saw how every decision, from the architecture of light to the tactility of materials, could directly influence health and inner balance. Since then it has been clear to me: I want to dedicate my work to creating spaces that support health, restore energy and inspire a more harmonious way of living.
What does “wellness” mean to you on a personal level and how does that definition influence your professional work?
For me, wellness is a way of caring, for oneself and for others. I experience it as a balance of body, mind and emotion; an anchor in daily life; and a harmony with external conditions, nature, fresh air, light, the ecological quality of our environment and the social fabric we inhabit.
I can’t really separate how wellness “influences” my work, because wellness is my life. My own habits, forest walks, yoga, meditation, sport, balanced nutrition and healthy, respectful relationships, shape my worldview and help me sense what truly matters in a space.
Designing wellness environments, for me, isn’t a task to complete; it’s sharing a way of living through design.
When you’re designing spaces that aren’t spas, such as offices, hospitality or residential, how does your understanding of wellness influence your choices?
I see wellness as a universal approach that works in any context. In offices, it means conditions that restore energy: quality lighting, biophilic elements, acoustic calm, and places both for focus and for connection.
In hotels, it’s the choreography of movement, a sense of comfort and care, and the feeling of being safe enough to exhale. In homes, it’s respect for each family’s rhythms, habits, the need for privacy and for togetherness.
Ultimately, wellbeing-led design asks one question: how will this place affect a person, their health, emotions and sensations? Even in an office or a hotel room, I want people to feel the same level of care they would expect in a spa.
You’ve worked on spa projects across different countries and cultures. How do local traditions and expectations influence your design choices?
Local traditions are always my starting point. Wellness design cannot be a universal template; it should reflect the spirit of place and honour its culture. Expectations differ: in some regions, bathing traditions emphasise heat and social connection; elsewhere, privacy and quiet are paramount; in others, water rituals are central.
When you weave these cultural codes into contemporary notions of comfort and health, you create spaces that are not only functional and beautiful, but deeply authentic to the guest and the region, places where people feel their values are understood and respected.
What is your perspective on the use of water in spa design and wellness rituals? Are there particular ways you like to integrate it into the guest journey?
Water is the central element of wellness design for me. It symbolises cleansing, renewal and a return to natural rhythms. It sets the pace of a space, sometimes invigorating and energising, at other times soft and meditative.
I’m especially fond of experiential shower paths, waterfalls with varied jets, and interactive water scenarios.
I like water to take centre stage in the wellness journey, to welcome the guest, guide them through the space, surprise them and help them let go. Often it’s the small details that make the difference: the sound of water, the play of reflections, the tactile sensation of contact.
Water has a rare power, it connects us to nature and, at the same time, back to ourselves. I therefore integrate it not merely as a function, but as the emotional accent of the entire spa experience.
What makes a spa truly memorable for the guest, not just beautiful, but emotionally engaging?
Beauty is only the beginning. A lasting impression arises when care is felt not just intellectually but physically and emotionally.
The space should suit the person, match their mood and thoughts in that moment. It ought to almost envelop the guest, helping them to relax and rest, or, conversely, to feel a gentle surge of energy.
It’s vital that the guest doesn’t simply observe the interior but lives it. A touch of gentle surprise, a water scene, a play of light, a quiet nook for solitude creates emotional memory.
People leave not only thinking “it was beautiful”, but with a deep sense of recovery and inspiration. That emotional involvement is what makes a spa truly unforgettable.
Can you share a standout spa project that captures your design philosophy, and what made it special?
One project that is particularly meaningful to me is a wellness hotel on the Baltic Sea, created on the site of a 19th-century German children’s sanatorium. Where healing once began with salt, water and silence, we built a next-generation place of recovery, inspiration and longevity.
In it, my philosophy unfolds on three levels. First, respect for history and detail: preserving original brickwork, allowing the forest and coastline to enter the interiors, and reflecting the region through colour and texture. Second, emotional perception: soft light, amber tones and tactile surfaces that encourage the body to relax. Third, strategic thinking: wellness design here is not only care for the person; it is also a business asset, encouraging longer stays, stronger loyalty and a distinctive brand identity.
It holds past, present and future together: it keeps the soul of the place, offers emotion in the here-and-now, and lays down long-term value. For me, that is the essence of wellness design.
Do you often visit spas yourself? And when you do, what kinds of experiences or environments appeal to you most?
I wouldn’t say I’m a particularly frequent spa-goer; for me, visits are largely professional research rather than leisure. I observe closely how a space works on the senses, how the logistics flow, where the strong decisions are and where the gaps lie.
That said, I’m a great admirer of Austrian spa hotels. Their philosophy resonates with me: a blend of tradition and contemporary thinking, quiet, attention to detail and deep respect for the body. I gravitate to places without unnecessary pomp spaces that feel natural and considered, where you sense your connection with nature and can truly switch off from the outside world.
As a designer, when you visit a spa, what are the most common mistakes or design flaws you tend to notice?
The most common issue is the lack of a coherent wellness journey for the guest. Spaces can be technically well-equipped and visually appealing, yet fail to work as a single, seamless experience.
The most frequent problems are logistical and technical: poorly planned routes, cold transitions between zones, awkwardly located showers or changing rooms, and temperature contrasts that are too abrupt, all of which instantly erode the sense of care. Then there are the technology pitfalls: poor acoustics, noisy plant, ventilation that isn’t tuned, or lighting that jars with the rhythm of rest.
Very often these stem from a weak grasp of operational processes. What exactly should happen in a given room? How does the therapist move? What do they need to deliver the treatment? What is the guest experiencing at that moment? If a designer overlooks these, the space may look impressive yet work against the logic of the wellness experience.
Another frequent flaw is overload. When a spa becomes a ‘set’ filled with effects, it distracts from the essential, relaxation and recovery. Wellness design is about respecting the guest’s inner state and the professional needs of staff; where that respect is missing, harmony is unlikely.
Looking ahead, what will tomorrow’s spa guest expect, and how should designers prepare for this shift?
Tomorrow’s guest will seek not just services but a holistic experience of recovery and health support. More people recognise the value of prevention, long-term wellbeing and a more mindful relationship with the self. Expectations will shift from “a couple of hours in a beautiful place” to “a deep, personalised experience that meaningfully affects health and quality of life”.
For designers, that means spaces must be flexible and adaptable to different scenarios and individual needs. We should integrate scientific thinking, from light and acoustics to biophilic strategies and technologies for monitoring state, whilst preserving the soul of the place. International frameworks such as the WELL Standard help by setting measurable parameters for how environments influence health. Increasingly, wellness spaces will be linked to the longevity paradigm: not only rest and recovery, but prevention and support for biological age and future quality of life.
The projects that unite science, nature and emotion will not only remain relevant, they will be essential.
This has been an inspiring journey into the essence of spa design, exploring the vision, experience, and expertise of Irina Siridova. We thank her for sharing her insights and for revealing how thoughtful design can transform wellness spaces into immersive, meaningful experiences.
The Aquaform team is grateful for this opportunity and looks forward to seeing her innovative approach continue to shape the future of spa experiences.
- Team Aquaform
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