How the Banja Vrućica Spa Became a Hydrotherapeutic Wonder

Project Name: Banja Vrućica Spa

Country: Banja Vrućica, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Designer: Enota

URL: https://www.enota.si/all/2019120911511138/

Tucked amid the town of Teslic in the valley of river Usora lies a health and wellness oasis promising the
healing prowess of its waters. Known as the Banja Vrućica Spa, its conception resulted from the
extensive overhaul and extension of Hotel Kardial – a 6,040-sqm hotel sitting on a 14,600-sqm of
pristine, scenic terrain.

With healing waters as the most redeeming quality of the site, one of the key objectives of this
renovation is to integrate the waterside of stream Jelića as a part of its exterior form. This resulted in an
organic layout inspired by circular strokes, where the presence of water activated the project’s ability
for seamless future expansions on the other side of the stream.

Throughout its renovation, the hotel paid special attention to reducing the size of its balconies to allow
for bigger rooms, while at the same time adding more of them on the building’s roof. To maintain the
same welcoming ambiance albeit the spatial overhaul, individual terraces feature ample vegetation-
signifying immense dependency on nature.

Yet another significant overhaul was of the congress halls and the wellness facility, which included the
exterior and interior pools, sauna, and massage parlors. Their inconvenient location above the exterior
pool platform prevented these spaces from reaching their maximum potential. Hence, they were instead
relocated on the lower floor.

The final product dons a terraced structure with overhanging roofs to conceal the existing building.
When combined with the now-integrated stream, two floors were visually diminished in hindsight –
bringing the entire complex closer to the human scale. Rounding off the development is a lush, green
roof that innocently chameleons over the unsuspecting context.

Inside, an intimate connection with the outside, the natural landscape can be witnessed. There is a
prominent contrast between its piercing, white walls and the undulating, organic wooden ceiling above
it – the latter of which reverberating a warm and comforting atmosphere.
In a picturesque setting of thick forests and therapeutic waters of Banja Vrućica, the beautiful mix
between the existing site context and organic architecture creates an ideal backdrop for healing and
relaxation.