August Design Consultant's senior associate Chatree Cholprasertsuk decorated the narrow confines of the Centara Spa at Sofitel Central Plaza Bangkok on Lat Phrao Road by using natural surface textures, white colour and indirect light to create a roomy and relaxed feeling.

"Our customer, Sofitel Central, asked me to renovate its small spa, which has a total floor space of only 265 square metres, to serve customers under the concept 'city spa'. It was difficult, but a challenge, to create a unique city spa with more functions to serve its clients," he said.

The first step involved consideration of the city spa concept and realisation that it had to be both contemporary and more functional, with everything expected of a normal spa, including areas for massaging both body and feet, a water-pressure room and a relaxing area. Moreover, the entire spa had to create a relaxed feeling for visitors.

Chatree said he selected white as the main colour to create a feeling of space in the spa's small area. Then he chose indirect light as a means of emphasising some areas while creating light and shade in the different rooms.

Decorative items were chosen with a "Thai touch" theme, such as hand-modelled door handles and a ceramic flower vase painted in Thai designs.

Chatree ordered different textured surfaces for the reception area and some of the massage rooms, using cement stucco to create a feeling of ease and simplicity.

"Spas need to give a warm, relaxed feeling, so we used decorative elements intended to create this feeling," he said. "Visitors also need to feel that a spa is roomy, although the space was very narrow when compared to bigger spas."

First impressions of Centara Spa, on the second floor of Sofitel Central, are a delightful fragrance and a warm welcome from the white textured light and shade effect in the reception area.

Then there is the sense of surprise at the spacious feeling of the massage room because, once more, the design has provided bright colours and the light-and-shade effect. It contrasts sharply with knowledge of how small the room really is.

When you visit Centara Spa, you can easily forget that you are in one of the main business districts - Lat Phrao Road - because the bright colours and use of light and shade can convince visitors of closeness to nature that belies its crowded location.

Somluck Srimalee

The Nation