Award-winning interior design studio Goddard Littlefair have unveiled their latest creation with their luxurious design of Southbank Place’s Spa. A joint residential development venture between Canary Wharf Group & Qatari Diar, London’s South Bank has been transformed by a unique mixed-use development with the famous Shell Centre Tower at its heart. Goddard Littlefair’s unparalleled expertise in designing spas globally sees Southbank Place added to their esteemed portfolio alongside the recent design of Chelsea Barracks Spa.

The ultra-sleek design of these lavish amenities was conceptualised with an experiential focus, creating a serene city oasis where residents can escape to relax, unwind and reinvigorate. Goddard Littlefair’s exceptional material prowess sees the use of unique and innovative fittings throughout the spa. A light and calming palette of sensitively selected natural materials paired with ambient lighting creates a cocoon-like space within an uber contemporary spa setting. Residents will be able to enjoy a luxury hotel-standard spa experience within their dynamic city-living environment.

“When we started looking at the concept for this amenity we realised that there were very few spa and fitness spaces that addressed a luxury residential development. This gave us many questions that had to be answered. Through extensive research, we recognised that facilities of top luxury hotels had the closest synergy with what we felt residents would want to have access to. Over the years we have seen the emergence of ‘Wellness’ as a trend that has resonated and, rather than being fleeting, seems to only increase in importance. Seven years ago, it wasn’t really a prominent concept but, looking back, the essence of wellbeing and wellness was what we were trying to accommodate with the design of this space.” - Martin Goddard, Co-Founder of Goddard Littlefair

The project was developed over the course of seven years, with Goddard Littlefair appointed to design the entire spa which is centrally located underneath the Southbank Place development, and is available to the occupiers of the residential buildings. The final design of this generous 2,000 sqm spa is set across various zones. Key to the success of any spa layout is the guest journey and the recognition that while some users will want to be energised through a hard hitting workout, others want to relax and the two elements should be accessed separately and without overlap to heighten the experience. 

Martin Goddard comments: “We wanted to ensure that a series of experiences were available to the users to excite and encourage the spa to be fully utilised. The experience of decompressing and unwinding is a key consideration in the planning and design stages of a world class spa facility.”

As such the spacious reception area acts as a hub and a social area for residents to meet one another, therapists or trainers. One fully equipped gym is available along with two separate studios which can be heated for a hot yoga workout or cooled for a dynamic spin class. The alternative wet and relax route takes residents through plush changing rooms, the gentlemen having a dedicated sauna area while ladies can enjoy their own vitality pool, sauna and steam room. 

On the pool deck itself the heat experiences continue with a stunning 25m heated swimming pool, accompanied by a further vitality pool, sauna and steam room along with social relax spaces for residents to enjoy. In addition to enjoying these indulgent  amenities, calm yet luxurious treatment rooms are available where selected therapies including beauty treatments are available.

A key challenge of the design was its basement location. In order to create warm and radiant ambient light Goddard Littlefair collaborated with the team from Design Plus Light to introduce a system of sensory experiences throughout the spa. The design creates an immersive feeling of light and space through carefully concealed architectural lighting that casts warm glows across rich surfaces while decorative lighting provides beautiful accents through the space. The glowing feature lighting in the pool area was crafted by London-based Nulty Bespoke with each glass drop specifically crafted to allude to the flow of water. 

Sustainability is a key value for Goddard Littlefair and the extended design team and wherever possible greener fabrics and finishes were considered and implemented. Along with the surrounding basement architect Adamsons Associates, structural engineers WSP & Expanded and M&E consultant AECOM, they endeavoured to incorporate as many considerations as possible into their design processes. One such example is that the pool hall area is maintained at a temperature 1C above the pool temperature which in turn minimises heat and water loss from the considerably large lap pool while a high-performance water treatment system keeps the water in the pools to an exceptional quality, whilst keeping water and chemical use to a minimum.

The bespoke and therefore exclusive nature of the details of the spa design is evident in many areas. Despite the challenges and rigours of working in a hot and humid environment, tactile luxury has not been ignored. Panels of marine-grade faux leather have been embroidered and stitched by artisans such as Mollie Regan Textiles. Portview were the fit out contractors who ensured the detailing of the high-specification design and custom joinery throughout the entire area was converted to reality.

Providing users with a sense of privacy and exclusivity through cleverly zoning spaces was also key to integrate into the design. One example of this is the use of beautiful custom-made burnished rock crystal screens were crafted by Czech Lighting designers Sans Souci in the reception area. 

“Obscured views of other users means interaction can be limited, allowing that sense of a personal and restorative experience to unfurl. Key to the success and the wellness of guests is the ability for them to have a fully flexible and individual experience to enjoy for years to come.” Jo Littlefair, Co-founder of Goddard Littlefair 

Overarchingly timeless and refreshing in its aesthetic appeal, this best-in-class wellness amenity unites form and function to deliver an exceptional spa for this new neighbourhood on London’s Southbank.