Spa: Beauty, Health & Design: Beauty, Health & Design (E) - Tapa dura

The term " spa " comes from the Latin acronym sanitas per aqua. The European origin of the world confirms a long tradition, deeply rooted in the continent's history. From steam baths in the Turkish hammams, through wine therapy in France and thalassotherapy in Greece, to th Alpine thermal baths, Europe counts with a large network of establishments of this kind. Located by the seaside, in the mountain, or right in the heart of the citied, spas attract a very wide audience nowadays, and therefore, they also appeal to architects and interior designers who see these spaces as the new temples of contemporaneity.

Split into three sections - country spas, mountain and seaside spas and urban spas - this book shows 39 of the most amazing and attractive therapy and relaxation centres around. Not only is there a vast range in appearance - calm country house hotels, Pompeian/Roman mosaic themes, clean modern sports facilities, 21st century pagan temples - but there is a wide variety of emphasis in the activities on offer too. Including designs by the likes of Mario Botta, Jestico & Whiles and Grimshaw Architects, these pillars of the emerging culture of wellbeing are illustrated by plenty of vivid photographs and English/Spanish text