Yasuragi is a Japanese-themed spa-hotel that promotes the philosophy of holistic well-being through simplicity and calm. Moreover, they extend this philosophy from their services, architecture and interiors to the rules and etiquette that each customer is expected to follow. They bring the Swedish nature and tranquil forest into their open spaces, while keeping the Japanese experience at the center.
The Japanese experience is all about respecting the natural elements and the land a house is placed on. Yasuragi uses the philosophy of both Kanso and Kintsugi in their well-balanced experience.
Throughout Yasuragi, there are flowing movements of energy with respect for asymmetry, silence, natural being and freedom from worldly attachments with their simplistic approach to the details. While subtly incorporating the Kintsugi along some of the walls with light holes in one of the cement walls highlights the character of the space. It is obvious they integrate a philosophy-based conceptual design in the lands of Sweden.
A few details found in the elements of their spatial design during our visit stood out to us, like:
- Incorporating natural elements with the traditional hotel designs by putting stones to the side of the floor to give sense of energetic balance
- Beams on the roof of the resting area were of light colored wood, like a birch tree, to give a sense of airy space and light in contrast to the cooler darker tones surrounded by the room
- Full glass panels allow enough natural light to come in even when it’s grey weather, giving a sense that it’s doesn’t feel closed in
- Beams on the roof of the resting area were of light colored wood, like a birch tree, to give a sense of airy space and light in contrast to the cooler darker tones surrounded by the room
- Full glass panels allow enough natural light to come in even when it’s grey weather, giving a sense that it’s doesn’t feel closed in
- With a view out to the pine trees and the water, the room instantly brings the tranquility of the outside inwards to the space in a non-threatening way. Like two worlds living in harmony
Colors
The colors are in a consistent palette, in cool greys matched with warmer dark tones, like the natural tones found in the forest. The windows overlooking the nature brought in the colours of the forest and of the sun, never being jarring to the eye, but only to the right balance in colours and light
Sound
The faint Japanese music in the background was neither interfering nor negligible. The sound of the waves in the pools, from the showers, all encompassing a calm, serene feeling of being inside an oasis.
Textures
The different textures of the different surfaces, made of wood, stones, cement, etc., added to the whole calm and soothing experience, by emulating the textures found in the nature.
Smell
The whole spa emanated an almost unimposing pleasant smell, contributing further to the relaxed state of mind.
It was a day like no other – not checking our phones for many hours, no work, nothing to do but to unwind, and having long, deep, whispered conversations with my friends. All of our five (or six) senses were completely enraptured by the whole experience, carefully created by the use of interiors at Yasuragi, leaving us thinking hard about the influences of spatial/interior design on one’s moods, psyche and physical well-being.
At Urgrund, we pay attention to the details around and to how they affect us. It’s woven in our philosophy that the spaces around us shape us and our experiences. That’s why we believe in creating spaces that not only satisfy our functional needs, but also enhance our experience and inspire us.
