The creation of Western Australia’s largest spa facility has officially been given the green light today, with the state’s planning commission approving the $25 million development of Tawarri Hot Springs in Perth's Dalkeith.
The wellness complex will be situated 10 minutes from Perth’s CBD and offer more than 25 different thermal bathing experiences, as well as saunas, hammams and a Vichy shower.
Formerly housing the historic Dalkeith Hot Pool and old Tawarri Reception Centre, the facility will also feature a restaurant, rooftop bar, café and day spa.
Located across a 5,539sqm site, the complex will cater for up to 220 guests at a time, with construction slated to commence in the second half of 2023.
Plus Architecture Perth director and project lead Patric Przeradzki says the oasis-like design of Tawarri Hot Springs emphasises narrative over aesthetics.
“With the recent global rise in wellness culture, designing ‘just a pool’ is no longer enough – considering the entire experience of the user is central to creating memorable spa experiences,” Przeradzki says.
“We have focussed on a series of design contrasts in this project such as hot and cold, dark and light, indoor and outdoor. These encourage a sense of curiosity as guests explore the different pavilions and routes they can take across the site.”
The facility will be built to a 6 Star Green Star rating and is expected to support hundreds of new local jobs from construction through to operation, while investing more than $25 million into the WA economy.
Owner Kathryn Gunn add Tawarri Hot Springs has been designated a ‘strategic tourism attraction’ by the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation.
“While we expect to attract visitors from interstate and overseas, the Tawarri Hot Springs has been designed for and by the people of Western Australia and Dalkeith – using local materials and stories to deliver a peaceful and sustainable wellness destination for the suburb we’re proud to call home,” she says.
“There’s nothing like it in WA which is why we are so excited to be working with our community to deliver the project.”
Plus Architecture took a research-led design approach for the site, which included observing new wellness technologies across spas in France and Italy in order to bring the experience to Australia.
“Our research enabled us to understand how these wellness destinations serve both the individual and the community,” Przeradzki explains.
“People use these places to relax in the spa, but they also want to explore the space, take photos, and socialise.
“It was therefore also important to give equal attention to the moments that exist between the ‘spa’ experiences such as dining and leisure time.”
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