Project Title: In the moment of AWE
Portugal Vez River SPA | Architecture Competitions // Buildner
Status: Honourable Mention
Team: collaboration arch. Anna Korytkowska-Hatala, arch. Joanna Szybejko
Vision
We began the design process by defining the specific feeling we wanted to evoke in the user. Imagine your dream morning. You wake up unhurried, surrounded by nature. Birdsong, the rustle of trees, and the gentle splash of the river create a backdrop for your thoughts. You step outside, and the sunlight brushes against your skin. This is a moment of awe—a soul-stirring sense of peace and reconnection with your surroundings. This very sensation guided us through the entire creative process of our boutique spa on the Vez River.
Design Solutions
We aimed to strengthen the bond between architecture and nature. Our proposal is based on:
A simple form that blends into the landscape without dominating it.
Natural materials and a warm color palette that cultivate a cozy atmosphere.
Expansive glazing that blurs the boundary between the interior and the exterior, ensuring a seamless connection with the surroundings while preserving guest intimacy.
Healing Architecture and Neuroarchitecture
At the heart of the project lies the "Architecture of Consolation." To infuse the interior with a deeper dimension of tranquility, we have integrated a perforated wooden architectural element into the building's form, based on a triangle-derived fractal pattern. This creates not only a tactile, organic structure but, more importantly, generates an immersive interplay of light and shadow within the space.
Why Fractals?
The specific fractal used in our design consists of isosceles right triangles (with 45° and 90° angles), recursively arranged to fill a square surface. This recursive geometry yields a self-similar structure with a fractal dimension of approximately 1.46.
This value falls within the specific range associated with patterns that are most visually attractive and psychologically soothing. Research indicates that exposure to fractals—such as those found in tree branches, river networks, or ferns—can provide measurable health benefits:
- Stress reduction by up to 60%,
- Lowered heart rate,
- Inducing a state of calm attentiveness.
These effects stem from the brain’s preference for patterns that maintain a perfect balance between predictability and complexity. They offer a visual rhythm that soothes the senses without overwhelming them with excessive stimuli.
As sunlight filters through the wooden screen, the fractal pattern is projected in soft, shifting shadows—enriching the space with a second, intangible layer of geometry. This dual presence fosters a sense of peace, harmony, and stillness. Consequently, the pattern is not merely decorative; it is a vital element building the spa’s atmosphere of renewal and repose.
