Private Spa: the jewel in our crown
Near completion: the jewel in our crown!
The intimate and artful design of this Japanese inspired Art Gallery and Private Spa in Whitefish Montana combines true traditional Japanese design with mountain living.
The new structure boasts a seventy five foot lap pool, Japanese spa, gym, and gallery.
The four-year long project was a close collaboration with Envi Design and Architect David Koel from CTA-Kalispell, the owner and his son and Martel Construction.
The meticulous consideration for every detail and vision has made this environment both purposeful and cohesive.
The custom ten foot by five foot door opens to the Japanese Art Gallery housing the owner's elaborate collection of Silk Screens and Porcelain sculptures.
The design includes cast glass by Joel Berman and an offset pivot hinge.
The staircase leads to the lower entrance of the newly built structure.
A meditation path ambles down to the main residence below.
Honoring the slope side and lake below, this serene and elegant traditional Hot Bath boasts an infinity edge and hidden drain.
River rocks line the outer edge.
Susie Hoffmann designed the custom Black Mara wood floating bench. Furniture builder Tucker Robbins artfully fulfilled the design in his New York City studio.
Seen throughout the spa are custom trowelled plaster walls that mimic the board-formed concrete exterior retaining wall.
The teak flooring in the Bath House is installed in a traditional Japanese pattern.
The walk-through shower emphasizes the ritual of passage and cleansing as one travels from the changing room to bathhouse.
The Teak framed Dornbracht Rain Shower, custom Teak floor drain, and Montana Limestone wall are all silent harbingers to the environment outdoors.
Fixtures are from Gessi, and Stone Mosaic tile from Ann Sacks. In the seven elements of Japanese traditional design, privacy, flexibility and simplicity are key.
The sliding Shoji screens and use of transitional space pay humble homage to these elements.
Simple, elegant design in the dressing room. The mirror is on axis with the walk through shower and the bath beyond. When the shoji doors are open, the mirror reflects the bathhouse and the moss garden in the distance.
The Sink is white onyx and from Stone Forest. Ann Sacks Stone mosaic tile. The concrete countertop was made by local artist Matt Baack with Stamping Ground Studios, and cabinets from Poggenpohl.
The lake inspired the dark hues of the seventy-five foot lap pool. The teak decking surround mimics the ubiquitous docks on Whitefish Lake below.
The custom lighting within the ceiling mirror the shape of the pool and acts as a visual cue of the pool’s edge. As one swims along on his back, he may follow the line and also be aware of the end of the pool.
This stone filled garden can be raked into patterns: circles, lines. The process of this patterning is a zen meditational practice.
The pool's overflow edge reflects the serenity and peacefulness of the lake itself.
The pool’s glass structure cantilevers towards the lake beyond.
A traditionally inspired Japanese moss garden sits on the pool’s green roof.
Glass serves to connect the indoors and outdoors of this pure form architecture.
Custom Japanese inspired light fixtures from Satori accent the gym which occupies the uppermost level of the structure. Poggenpohl cabinetry is installed throughout.
The gym offers a truly inspired experience with views of Whitefish Lake and the surrounding forest.
The designers included various platforms (by Tucker Robbins) and niches throughout the space to display the client’s extensive art collection.
Hoffmann added a river rock details at landings and beneath benches to add texture and detail.
The completion of this project is long and coming. Envi has been a part of the team for almost 4 years now! We are delighted to see the design come together as it has. Bravo to all of the hardworking team members and Martel Construction for a job well done! Thanks to Audrey Hall for her beautiful photography. --Nicole
Envi Design introduces staff writer Nicole Reddinger to our team. She specializes in Interior Design, Marketing and Creative Writing. Follow her posts on our Envisions Blog. Welcome NICOLE!
