Rottet Studio’s approach integrates cultural context, fashion, and local elements
Key Takeaways:
- Renowned architect Lauren Rottet, known for her global portfolio, emphasizes nature in spa design, blending biophilia and biomimicry.
- Her projects include high-profile luxury spas like Canyon Ranch and the Belmond Cap Juluca Guerlain Spa, with a new project underway for Wynn at Al Marjan Island.
- Rottet’s design approach is influenced by fashion, cultural context, and natural light, aimed at creating healing and unforgettable experiences.
- Rottet Studio collaborates with brands such as Guerlain and Augustinus Bader, ensuring that spa designs resonate with local environments and brand aesthetics.
- Future luxury spa design will likely incorporate personalized, region-specific treatments and memorable retail experiences for customers.
Lauren Rottet, the architect renowned for designing over 50 hotels, restaurants, office buildings, and luxury private residences worldwide, has a particular talent for crafting luxury spa experiences. Her prestigious clientele includes names such as Viking Cruises, Goldman Sachs, and the St. Regis. Notable spa projects include Canyon Ranch in Texas and Massachusetts, the Four Seasons Chicago in collaboration with Augustinus Bader, and the Belmond Cap Juluca Guerlain Spa in Anguilla. Rottet Studio, her eponymous design firm, is currently working with Wynn on a spa project for the upcoming Al Marjan Island in the U.A.E., slated to open in 2027.
Rottet’s design philosophy integrates elements of biophilia, the human connection to nature, and biomimicry, drawing from natural models to solve human challenges. She focuses on creating spaces that evoke healing and balance through thoughtful design. “People spend most of their time inside, and their interiors reflect who they are and how they want to live, work, or vacation,” Rottet explained, discussing her approach to interior design.
Her expertise extends to the luxury spa sector, where she believes the ultimate experience goes beyond physical treatments. According to Rottet, a luxury spa experience is about “relaxation, stimulation, discovery, and unparalleled satisfaction both mentally and physically.” For her, design plays a crucial role in shaping every aspect of the customer journey—from booking to departure.
Rottet’s spa designs blend nature and innovation, using natural and artificial light to create a sense of movement and reflection. She draws inspiration from various cultural and environmental factors, studying the light quality and materials specific to each location. At the Belmond Cap Juluca Guerlain Spa in Anguilla, for example, her team integrated local limestone and coral stone into the spa design, reflecting the island’s natural landscape.
Her collaborations with major brands such as Guerlain and Augustinus Bader involve extensive research to align design with brand identity. “When we designed the spa for Guerlain at Cap Juluca, we studied the medicinal healing properties of the local salts, stones, and tropical elements,” Rottet said.
Looking to the future, Rottet predicts that luxury spa experiences will increasingly focus on personal wellness, incorporating regional elements like limestone, salt, and botanicals into treatments. She also envisions curated retail offerings in hotels that enhance the guest experience and create lasting memories. “The luxury guest wants to experience and discover things they don’t have, and they spend their money on things that bring them good memories,” she noted.
With her ability to merge creativity, cultural context, and nature into her designs, Rottet continues to shape the future of luxury spa and hospitality experiences.