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“We wanted to challenge the prescriptive, almost clinical idea of what a spa should look like, so we simply ignore the precedent and went for something that’s far less monastic and minimal,” explains cofounder Shannon Shlom when asked about Duet’s latest project, Comma Bath House and Day Spa, located in a commercial development in Byron Bay, Australia.
Gone are the sterile white walls and hushed minimalism that have become a tired shorthand for relaxation. In their place bold pattern, intricate tilework, layered textures and a vibrant alchemy of moody tones. “The fixed floor plan required intelligent spatial solutions,” continues Dominique Brammah, the other co-founder of the Sydney design studio. “As a result, color has been employed as a wayfinding tool to navigate and organize the irregular floor plan of three narrow circulation spaces that receive minimal natural light.”
Duet Crafts A Meditative Spa Grounded In Warm Hues
Duet gives the Comma Bath House and Day Spa in Byron Bay, Australia, new life with creamy walls, bold colors and layered textures.
In the reception area, the duo have opted for warm creamy walls, offset with rusty reds and a striking neon orange. A zigzagging, handcrafted reception counter fabricated from textural, untinted Tadelakt grounds the space and underscores the pair’s tactile tendencies.
In a perfectly, rhythmic transition, the lobby introduces a new mood, one that is decidedly more intense. “Given that this was not just a spa, but also a bath house, we wanted to create a more social environment, one that is stimulating and invites guests to linger, not just detox,” adds Brammah. Fully enveloped in an intensively meditative, smoky purple and populated with a layering of natural materials like jute, salvaged timber and leather, the room is an invigorating space that feels alive, rather than austere. The bathrooms complete the journey, cooled by a magical combination of mid toned blues set against rich chocolate handmade floor tiles.
Painted in smoky purple, this meditative room serves as an invigorating space for guests.
Comma is a jewel-like experience evident in the consideration of even the most diminutive of details like the multiple door handle iterations and carefully considered, surprisingly cost-effective solutions that bring additional layers of interest. The studio, known for never shying away from a budget impediment, leveraged their own resources by hand-wrapping rope around lampshades and re-purposing hardware store drop sheets as a form of upholstery. “This is a classic case of our ability to create a ‘high-low’ design, adds Shlom. “Every project comes with a realistic cost constraint, and we never shy away from using whatever inventive strategies we can to bring them to fruition.” The result, is a masterful interior that intentionally invites guests to linger and pause—and to notice.
Go On A Meditative Journey Through The Comma Bath House and Day Spa
Terra-cotta bricks flow from walls, to floor to the kitchen counter for a seamless journey through the space.
Funky furnishings and accessories invite visitors to relax in the lounge area.
Duet cofounders Shannon Shlom and Dominique Brammah.
Handmade brown tiles give this shower a pared-down look.
The bathrooms combine mid toned blues with rich chocolate floor tiles.
Closeup of the vanity in the bathroom.
