Smaller footprint. Maximum theatre. Those are the two main features of a new hammam concept being developed by wet spa specialists Barr + Wray.
"A lot of the time clients would like the impact of a traditional, large-domed hammam, but don't have the luxury of space and don't want to compromise by just offering something like a scrub room," says Barr + Wray design director Graeme Banks.
It's not unusual for traditional hammams to cover 100sq m and have domes up to 6m high. In comparison, Barr + Wray's suggested model requires a minimum of 40sq m and this includes a steamroom and tepidarium flowing from the main chamber, plus a dome around 4m high.
Clever design adds a sense of drama. Light shines through a striking central chandelier, casting shadows around the room and reflecting off glass mosaics on the floor and high-gloss white corian walls to create a feeling of movement. The steamroom and tepidarium also use colour effects and indirect and backlighting add to the overall atmosphere.
White seamless finishes and organic shapes have been used to give it a contemporary edge. "Marble, stone and ornate details are used in many hammams, but who says your hammam has to look like other hammams?" says Banks. "We want to give our clients a USP and if they have a modern spa they want the hammam to tie in."
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