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
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the
most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]
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Sommerhuber GmbH
Sommerhuber specialises in the manufacturing of heat-storing ceramics for spas. [more...]
Oakworks Inc
Oakworks is a US-based FSC-certified manufacturer of spa, massage, and medical equipment. [more...]
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
TLee Spas and Wellness has revealed the design concept for a high-tech spa with body
mapping scanners to improve public health, for AI company Midjourney.
Ameyalli, the 78-acre wellbeing resort and residential community in Midway in Utah, US, has
broken ground on phase two of the hot spring development – the Ameyalli Resort and Spa –
which is due to open in 2028.
Gran Hotel Taoro in northern Tenerife, Spain, has completed the final phase of its three-year
renovation with the debut of its Sandára Wellness Centre.
Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the spa business with more than 650 locations across
the US and Canada, has appointed franchise expert Carrie Walsh as CEO as the company plans
to expand.
Synergy – The Retreat Show, the global trade show for retreats, has launched a global research
initiative that will provide insights into the retreat sector from both consumer and industry
perspectives.
The Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) has published a non-regulatory global industry
framework designed to ensure the retreat market offers responsible experiences.
A new survey of UK and international spa practitioners shows that stress, burnout and
wellbeing concerns have caused one in three respondents to consider leaving the industry.
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity
guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's
physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing
sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the
most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Sommerhuber GmbH Sommerhuber specialises in the manufacturing of heat-storing ceramics for spas. [more...]
