The assignment included accentuating the spa’s Japanese character while also creating harmony with local Swedish traditions. Creating better flows and spaces for the large number of guests that visit Yasuragi every day has also been one of the challenges.

The old, concrete building from the 1970s, designed by the Japanese architect Yoji Kasajima, helped us to shape a clear concept. Tradition, balance, nature, contrast, enjoyment and tranquility have been the watchwords of the concept.

The building was a real asset that gave us momentum in our efforts to strengthen the Yasuragi brand. We decided at an early stage to use the building’s characteristic raw concrete and clean lines as a basis. Other materials used include ebonized oak, light oak, patterned tiles and various louvered ceilings
The result was a modern, asymmetric version of a Japanese emperor’s courtyard, with a pool as its architectural heart. Several small concrete huts, with trellis-clad components, were created around the pool for different purposes.
Between the huts, we created new areas which give the guests much more space. True to Japanese tradition, we have also used the natural environment as our starting-point; the light and transparency in the building materials have played an important role.