Wellness VANGUARD
When we first stepped down into the basement with its original civil-defense shelter, one thought came immediately: “This has to stay.” The concrete, the ceilings, the rawness, the dim light—everything had character. The investor’s idea—to build a pool and wellness center—wasn’t just an aesthetic gesture, but a chance to show that a renovation doesn’t have to erase history; it can reinterpret it and give it new life.
A View Through Water
Even by the elevator the concept is clear: the pool’s glass front reveals the waterline from the side and sets the first scene before you even enter. No gimmicks—just pure structure and water. We stretched the pool nearly the entire length of the room. Rough concrete ceilings, glass walls all around, and a black mosaic inside that absorbs the light rather than reflecting it. Next to it sits a hot tub, but this isn’t about bubbles—it’s about maintaining a seamless aesthetic. All the technical systems and exposed piping remain visible. The industrial framework isn’t decoration; it’s the essence. This isn’t a decorative spa but a basement conversion that works with what was there, giving it new purpose without unnecessary frills.
A Bracing Refresh
The saunas are far from the typical wooden boxes. We stained the Finnish sauna black with a treatment made specifically for sauna use—don’t try this with standard stains. The deep darkness creates a very different atmosphere from the usual pale saunas: intense yet calming. The steam room ceiling is lined with optical fibers that simulate a starry sky, casting only gentle reflections for an intimate, soothing feel. The showers are deliberately stark: black shower columns and a bucket of icy water provide a sharp post-sauna contrast that jolts the body awake. The industrial approach is as clear here as at the pool—nothing hidden, everything part of the design and the original interior repurposed.
Calm Behind Glass
Despite still being a bunker, the relaxation lounge feels surprisingly welcoming. The raw concrete walls remain, but the space is separated from the rest of the wellness area by smoke-tinted glass, letting in only muted light and sounds. Curtains hang in front of the glass—soft and unobtrusive at first glance, but a touch reveals they’re made of metal. From the ceiling hangs a light fixture reminiscent of a fishing net, with crystals that catch and scatter the light like tiny drops of water, adding a gentle, calming sparkle.
Light Among Glass Blocks
The changing rooms form a small labyrinth of glass-block partitions. The blocks are arranged to create visual barriers while staying airy and light. Each element is internally lit, making the space feel more like an art installation than a conventional locker room. Light refracts through the blocks, creating subtle reflections that shift as you move. The entrance leads to a reception desk made of backlit concrete, contrasting with the bunker’s rough walls while harmonizing with them. Light filtering through the concrete mass creates a delicate, almost ethereal effect—another example of raw material transformed into unexpected elegance.
Better Than a Hotel
Neon accents and large mirrors give the gym energy and a touch of a club vibe, yet it stays within the industrial frame. Adjacent is a small cinema that doubles as a private party venue, allowing guests to celebrate without disturbing neighbors upstairs. The entire wellness area offers service on par with a hotel while preserving its underground character. From the cinema, a secret corridor—once the bunker’s emergency exit—leads directly to the street, so guests can leave discreetly without passing the main reception. A raw relic of the past, given a new and surprisingly practical function.
And yes—this is also about sustainability. Reusing the original structure means less waste, fewer new materials, fewer transformations. Renovation is one of the few ways to give buildings a second life instead of letting them be dismantled or forgotten. Here, industrial architecture is not only an aesthetic choice but a philosophy: respecting what existed and reshaping it for today.
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by Radka - 24. 9. 2025