Thermae Sylva
Wellness reception and relaxation terraces — travertine, white oak, olive trees, hand-blown glass. Material specification for a Black Forest spa.
Project Overview
Thermae Sylva is a wellness addition to an existing 4-star Black Forest hotel — reception, changing suites, relaxation terraces, and the transition into the thermal pools. Our scope: the full material specification package.
Material Direction
The brief was "quiet luxury, touchable everywhere". Every surface had to feel good barefoot, on a wet hand, leaning against it in a robe. We specified accordingly.
The Palette
- Floors — unfilled travertine, 800×400mm slabs, brushed finish. Warm, textured, non-slip when wet.
- Walls — vertical white-oak planks, unfinished, scrubbed weekly with a mild soap. The scent becomes part of the room over time.
- Ceiling — lime plaster, hand-applied, left slightly uneven so light pools rather than grids.
- Water feature — book-matched green marble basin with a polished top and brushed sides.
- Trees — three mature olive trees in the relaxation terraces, potted in travertine troughs. Living, breathing, scented.
- Lighting — hand-blown glass pendants from a local Freiburg maker, three across the lounge axis. Colour temperature 2400K — deeply warm.
Specification Pack
42 pages of materials, 18 samples mounted on a single board for the client. Each specimen tagged with supplier, lead time, maintenance protocol, and a replacement spec in case a source disappears mid-project.
Status
Materials approved January 2025. Procurement in progress.