In a world shaped by a fast-paced rhythm, Vívid Arquitectura brings to life a project born from the desire to pause time. A former underground winery located in Teià, a hillside town on the Barcelona coast, has been completely reimagined to become an exclusive spa designed to slow down and reconnect with the space. The project recaptures the mystique of Roman baths, where the depth of the earth becomes a protective embrace.
The original architecture sets the rules: the intervention stems from a deep respect for the existing architecture, preserving the Catalan vault and locally crafted handmade brick, elements that tell the story of the place. A sanctuary for disconnecting, designed to elevate the wellness experience through honest construction.
One of the greatest challenges in wet-area projects is finding the right balance between visual comfort, technical safety and spatial perception. In this spa, the decision was made to work with carefully integrated indirect lighting and a palette of neutral tones. In doing so, Vívid Arquitectura allows geometric purity to take centre stage, enhancing the volumetry of the space while avoiding unnecessary glare. The result is a soft yet fully functional light, capable of creating depth and visual references without disturbing the calm atmosphere.
Now, let’s get into the more technical side of the project.
During the development process, a common question for this type of space came up: would such subtle lighting be enough? Our project department had the answer. Through the lighting study carried out with DIALux, an average of approximately 60 lux on the floor was achieved, a figure specifically designed for a relaxation environment. Beyond the technical data, what truly mattered was how that light is perceived within the space: washed walls, light points placed at the edges and indirect reflections on surfaces create a much broader and more comfortable lighting sensation, reinforcing the intimate and ritual-like character of the space.
For the lighting design, Grund was chosen, an IP67 recessed luminaire designed to blend into outdoor architecture and technically demanding environments. Its warm 2700K colour temperature and CRI90 enhance the texture of materials while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere, something especially important in spaces dedicated to wellbeing.
Another key aspect in wellness projects is control flexibility. Once the project was completed, the client explored the possibility of dimming the lighting intensity according to different usage scenes. Thanks to Grund’s external driver, the system can work with protocols such as DALI, TRIAC or CASAMBI simply by adapting the corresponding driver. This dimming capability is especially interesting in spas and bathrooms, where lighting supports different moments and needs throughout the day.
The Grund recessed luminaire softly washes the spa walls, creating an atmosphere of calm.
In spaces like this, lighting does not seek to become the protagonist. Its value lies in the way it transforms the perception of the place, enhances the materiality and helps users disconnect almost without noticing it. A project where technique and atmosphere find the perfect balance.
Credits:
Studio: Vívid Arquitectura — Aleix Gonzalez Call and Irene Escudé
Saunas: Saunas Duran
Materials: Porcelanosa
Microcement: Ingremic Microcemento
