The artists believe their egg can bring the community together
Spa operators are often looking for inspiration when it comes to creating social connections and fostering a sense of community. For residents of Sweden’s northernmost town, the answer has been found in a unique type of sauna: a sculptural chamber encased within a giant golden egg.
Designed by art and design duo Bigert & Bergström, Solar Egg is conceived as a social art work in which the people of Kiruna can meet and discuss the challenges facing their community. The town is being completely relocated so that mining company LKAB can extract more of the valuable iron ore seam that lies below its current location. While iron ore is vital to the survival of Kiruna, which was founded in the 19th century to supply another nearby mine, the move has sparked debate. The artists believe their egg can bring people together, as the sauna occupies a symbolic position in Lapland culture as a room for warmth and reflection.
Solar Egg is made out of stainless golden mirror sheeting and has a multifaceted form that breaks up the surroundings that it reflects into a multiplicity of different mirror images.
“Landscape, mine, town, sky, sun and snow are here combined into a fragmented image that can evoke associations with the complexity spanned by today’s discussion about climate and sustainable community development,” the artists say.
“We’ve developed a sculptural symbol that prompts thoughts of rebirth and an incubator that nurtures conversation and the exchange of ideas.”
While a golden egg may not be practical for a some spa resorts, operators may want to remember: sometimes a sauna is more than a sauna. And a little heat and sweat can bring people together.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Promotional feature: Elemis - Deep Benefits
With its market-leading Pro-Collagen skincare products already
a worldwide success, Elemis has further expanded its premium
anti-ageing range with a potent new seaweed-based Marine Oil
Promotional feature: RKF - a touch of luxury
As a global leader in the field of luxury
fabrics for spas and hospitality, RKF
is known for pushing the boundaries
of design and function. We find out
about the company's latest work
The artists believe their egg can bring the community together
Spa operators are often looking for inspiration when it comes to creating social connections and fostering a sense of community. For residents of Sweden’s northernmost town, the answer has been found in a unique type of sauna: a sculptural chamber encased within a giant golden egg.
Designed by art and design duo Bigert & Bergström, Solar Egg is conceived as a social art work in which the people of Kiruna can meet and discuss the challenges facing their community. The town is being completely relocated so that mining company LKAB can extract more of the valuable iron ore seam that lies below its current location. While iron ore is vital to the survival of Kiruna, which was founded in the 19th century to supply another nearby mine, the move has sparked debate. The artists believe their egg can bring people together, as the sauna occupies a symbolic position in Lapland culture as a room for warmth and reflection.
Solar Egg is made out of stainless golden mirror sheeting and has a multifaceted form that breaks up the surroundings that it reflects into a multiplicity of different mirror images.
“Landscape, mine, town, sky, sun and snow are here combined into a fragmented image that can evoke associations with the complexity spanned by today’s discussion about climate and sustainable community development,” the artists say.
“We’ve developed a sculptural symbol that prompts thoughts of rebirth and an incubator that nurtures conversation and the exchange of ideas.”
While a golden egg may not be practical for a some spa resorts, operators may want to remember: sometimes a sauna is more than a sauna. And a little heat and sweat can bring people together.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Promotional feature: Elemis - Deep Benefits
With its market-leading Pro-Collagen skincare products already
a worldwide success, Elemis has further expanded its premium
anti-ageing range with a potent new seaweed-based Marine Oil
Promotional feature: RKF - a touch of luxury
As a global leader in the field of luxury
fabrics for spas and hospitality, RKF
is known for pushing the boundaries
of design and function. We find out
about the company's latest work
Private hotel owner and developer HVL Hotels will open a new luxury resort and tourism
destination called Laval Hunter Valley in the second half of 2027 in Pokolbin, Australia.
The annual wellness festival dedicated to wellbeing, culture, longevity and human connection,
called Alma, will be hosted by Rocco Forte hotel, Verdura Resort in Sicily, Italy.
Capella Hotel Group has appointed Feisal Jaffer as chief development officer as the company
ramps up its global expansion of both its Capella and Patina brands.
People taking GLP-1 weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound
may be losing weight, but they’re also becoming less physically active, according to new
research presented at the ENDO 2026 annual meeting of the Endocrine Society
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Global retreat trade show, Synergy The Retreat Show, has launched a resource called The
Source, which hosts an open-access online Transformation Series programme.
The Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) charity has announced its first five-
day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat, which will be held at Carden Park Hotel and Spa in
Cheshire, UK, between 1 and 5 September.
Patmos Aktis, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, has opened in Greece, with a renovated and
rebranded wellness offering called Ansana Wellness and Spa.
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an Autograph Collection property in Hawaii, US, has opened its
22,000 sq ft indoor-outdoor Spa at Mauna Kea as the final step in the property’s overall
renovation, which has cost more than US$180 million (€166 million, £140 mill
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced
it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House
Hotel in St Albans, UK.
