Smooth transitions The core task in the hotel Eden Spiez consisted in creatively combining the now three areas of the spa with each other , but at the same time also in finding a balance between functionality and user friendliness on the one hand as well as comfort and cosiness on the other hand . The architects had taken various possibilities into consideration but finally decided to pick up the existing neoclassical style and to continue it with modern design elements . Plain materiality , subtle interventions as well as a congruence of the haptics and colours of the respective surfaces permitted the demanded smooth transitions .
Design variety with ceramic tiles Jaeggi Architekten decided to lay ceramic tiles in the generous format of 75 x 75 centimetres on all floor surfaces in the newly designed wellness area . On the walls , wood panellings alternate with tiles in the representative large format of 60 x 120 centimetres . All tiles are from the series Valley of Agrob Buchtal , which perfectly harmonizes with the existing tiles and materials thanks to natural raw materials such as coloured clay minerals and earths , fine-grained structures as well as the multifaceted shade “ sand-beige “.
Uniformly designed floor surfaces are characteristic of the entire wellness area . They ensure the necessary calm and spaciousness , but at the same time convey a clear and reduced impression . In this way , an interesting dialogue with the fascinating scenery of Spiezer Bucht , Thunersee and the mountains of Bernese Oberland is created , which is also to be found on the terrace . There , the architects also used the series Valley , however in a thickness of two centimetres , thus ensuring a homogeneous look and an appropriate robustness .
The brine bath with “ fountain of youth ” water connects the interior and exterior area and surprises with a special colour design : while blue is the colour mostly used in the pool area , a warm shade from the Chroma Pool programme of Agrob Buchtal was chosen there . “ I must openly admit that I would have also decided in favour of a blue shade if the decisive impulse from Agrob Buchtal had not come . The decades of experience of this brand as well as the enormous variety of colours and formats provided us with immense creative scope “, Jaeggi explains . And thus , after extensive sampling , one chose the colour sand-grey , light . “ We really were surprised by the Caribbean-like , warm and cheerful look of the water created with it and the beach or holiday feeling that can be conveyed in this way “, Jaeggi contentedly reflects upon his decision .
The aspect of functionality In the modern spa of the hotel Eden Spiez , great importance is attached both to a stylish ambience and also to comfortable functionality . Thus , not only because of design consistency but also for reasons of user friendliness and safety , tiles of the series Valley were laid on all floors . “ Protecting the guests against accidents caused by slipping of course has highest priority in our work “, Jaeggi emphasizes . “ The more important was it to us that we could obtain the generous floor format of 75 x 75 centimetres in the required slip-resistance category R11 / B within the framework of a project-specific special production .“
In addition , tiles were laid in the skirting area everywhere , i . e . also below the wood panellings , for easier and better cleaning . “ We previously subjected the tiles to extensive tests with different substances and cleaned them several times with the hotel ’ s own cleaning agents “, Jaeggi says . The fact that these tests were passed is also due to the “ Protecta “ surface upgrading already applied at the factory . The unglazed floor tiles used here are hard-wearing and resistant already by nature . However , their advantages are even further improved thanks to this special upgrading , which is ceramically bonded to the biscuit during the firing process and closes the existing “ micropores “ quite natural for unglazed ceramics . The penetration of substances forming stains is effectively prevented in this way . Therefore , a timeconsuming subsequent impregnation is no longer required .
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