Experiential Art Spa (working title)
EAS is a venue concept modeled on a Scandinavian sauna/bathhouse and garden.
The EAS combines the social and wellness benefits of these traditional therapies with experience design: using architecture, light, sound and technology to enhance the interactive and contemplative aspects of the spa.
What do you mean by experiential design?
Experience design is not driven by a single discipline. Instead, it is cross-discipline design that considers the multiple elements of a service from the perspective of its user. Experience Design frameworks are becoming increasingly popular as a response to the need people have for novel, meaningful and empathetically designed services and spaces.
Structure
HG centers around a garden style environment, and will include the following constellation of traditional sauna style experiences. A sauna, a steam room, a hot pool and a cold plunge. The garden style environment is a multi functional event and social space.
Motivation
The conditions of modern society have dislodged our sense of self from our physical and social environments. Instead of neglecting these realities in favor of virtual “spaces”, we propose to re-imagine and alter existing spaces to enhance our physical and social health. The sauna as a familiar wellness ritual provides a unique environment to explore interactive, immersive, and performance art. We ask the question: Can considered environments, social interactions, and technology be used to enhance physical presence and care of the self?
Competitors
Existing sauna models demonstrate demand for this type of service, however the market is only served by well designed spaces at a very high price point, or poorly designed spaces (gyms etc), or non social spaces (day spas). There are no similar businesses within the North Brooklyn area.
Who are you?
We draw upon a wide community of architects, artist, fabricators and designers.
Michael Glen (principal)
Michael Glen is a designer based in New York. He has the unique experience of creating successful experiential design projects and hospitality businesses. As designer, he has worked for major brands, feature films and television shows as well as exhibiting experiential work internationally. He was also a founding partner of Clementine Bakery in Brooklyn New York, which has been in operation for 5 years generating more than $1.5 mil in revenue annually with 12 employees.
Stephanie Beattie (partner)
Stephanie Beattie is a designer, artist and sauna practitioner based in Brooklyn. A graduate of the trans-disciplinary design MFA program at Parsons School for Design, she is focused on social innovation and service design.
Where?
Desirable locations for this project balance the needs for proximity to its target audiences and the need to create an inclusive and affordable space. Central Brooklyn, specifically Bushwick is considered the likeliest location.