Slumbered Sleep

STRUCTURE & MATERIALITY
Concrete makes up the majority of The Retreat,
much of it prefabricated to lessen the environmental
impact of onsite construction. On the
lobby, the concrete is textured off-white, but in
the spa’s lower levels, it is smooth and dark
grey, mimicking the lava-rock walls. Perforated
facades and interior screening throughout the
complex mimic the organic patterns that appear
when the air pockets trapped inside lava rocks
are released. Lava sand and stone from the area
were used to make dark terrazzo floors. Silica,
blue-green algae, and mineral salt are the main
components of the Blue Lagoon. They make it
challenging for many conventional architectural
elements, restricting the range of materials that
can endure this environment and guarantee endurance.
A real, warm ambiance is created by
contrasting warm wood textures against concrete
and lava surfaces. A sphere of profound
comfort drawn from the landscape is created
by the gentle abundance of natural, tactile, and
organic materials that infuse every aspect of
the building. The magic of Iceland’s natural light
is preserved through Human Centric Lighting,
which also produces stimulating, calming, and
entertaining artificial light. (Pintos, 2022)
Figure 123
Figure 122
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