Today, most architects & designers worldwide are moving from traditional construction practices to sustainable design practices. In the past, we have featured some hotels & cafes built inside of shipping containers, and today I would like to share this amazing project by my favorite, Sid Lee Architecture. Bota Bota is a luxury, modern Scandinavian-style spa designed in a mid-century ferryboat anchored in Montreal’s Old Port.
The entire redesign project lasted for 2 years, and involved a team of architects, naval architects, interior designers, industrial designers and naval engineers. The 3150 square metre vessel with 5 levels was entirely gutted. It was originally impossible to support the weight of a fullly equipped spa. The engines were removed to accommodate the locker rooms which are provided with low gauge steel lockers. The interiors of this spa have a very simple, linear design with private relaxation and treatment rooms. While the interiors provide a fantastic opportunity to de-stress, rejuvenate and spend time in introspection, the outdoors provide a magnificent view of the city with Habitat 67 on one side and the old European-styled architecture on the other side.
The relaxation and treatment room experience: If you are expecting one of those colorful luxury spa interior experiences, then this probably isn’t your space. Instead the architects decided to paint the walls black. Yes Black!. The concept may look a little extreme, but the concept is very intelligent, as the black is part of an overall experience of ‘Moksha’. Combined with a low ceiling and pin drop silence, visitors experence the sublime. The gorgeous views of the water & city through the potholes makes you feel like you own the world!
