May 01, 2008

Iconoclassic Design by Kerry Joyce Creates New Standard in Spa Aesthetics

HOLLYWOOD, CA - Usually associated with celebrities and the film industry, Hollywood increasingly is becoming an epicenter of innovative design and creative vision. Debuting at the top of its class is the newly opened Spa Luce at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel. Forging a new vernacular in spa design, Emmy award-winning designer and architect Kerry Joyce has fused the inspiration of classic Mediterranean cultures with stark, modern simplicity to create a space that transcends centuries, while evoking an ultra-modern, white-on-white aesthetic with timeless appeal.

Joyce composed Spa Luce?s interiors by integrating an evocative palette of textures, surfaces and tonal subtleties. The result is a mood-enhancing ambiance to soothe 21st century souls with ageless, yet innovative design elements. Joyce seamlessly incorporates ancient hand-chiseled Jerusalem stone, glassy smooth petrified wood and gently undulating sweeps of stucco walls, reminiscent of Santorini or Capri into the design. In addition, Joyce layers modern refinements including sleek teak wood surfaces and artful waves of resin-covered backlit mosaic glass producing a contemporary, California-inspired counterpoint.

?I wanted to evoke a sense of place that had definite reference points , like California, and the Mediterranean?yet defied easy classification and blurred epochs,? says Joyce. ?Most importantly, the space had to be inviting, instantly transporting you beyond the everyday, to a world vaguely familiar in its reference points, yet at the same time fresh and intriguing.? Underscoring his point, Spa Luce is suffused with generous amounts of light ? both floods of natural light in the daytime, and an atmospheric glow flowing from cleverly concealed sources, in the evening.

Details, Details
Arriving in the spa?s foyer, with sunlight streaming through its perforated dome, one is immediately seduced into transcending the high-octane energy of Hollywood?s streets. On careful inspection, it is evident that this effect was created by rendering the space with a meticulous attention to detail. Beginning with the hand-laid mosaic tiled floors, the design of Spa Luce is one of realizing a very precise vision. Guests immediately notice a magnificent reception desk rendered by a master furniture maker from a 300-year old fallen oak, are drawn to built-in overstuffed sofa beds tucked away in private nooks, and admire blocks of chiseled stone that convey a sense of history and permanence. Whether it?s quirky tree branch robe hooks, or massive sinks created from single solid pieces of Italian limestone?at Spa Luce, nature is always embellished with a thoughtfully modern perspective.

User Friendly
Ultimately, Spa Luce is about enhancing the relationship between spa professionals and clients, therefore the space is designed to be accommodating, personal, and subtly emotional. A colorful backlit mosaic wall of blue glass tiles, between the men?s and women?s changing area, evokes a calm California sentiment. Created by local artist Kim Gordon, the mosaic references the movement and luminosity of California ocean waves and adds to the sense of tranquility, a tone that is felt throughout the spa. Inside the changing rooms, weathered teak lockers of generous proportions await guests. In the public areas, long, discreetly illuminated hallways lead to inviting treatment rooms imparting both space and intimacy.

In pre-treatment waiting areas, flickering candles, lush flokati rugs, soft lighting and ?avant-retro? leaf shaped tables inspire a decidedly warm and relaxed atmosphere. Within the treatment rooms, accented by teak treatment tables and cabinetry, guests are enveloped in yet more serene simplicity. The couples treatment room is a study in comfort and refinement, where a decadent raised bath, oversized lounge and expansive treatment area combine to create an oasis within an oasis.

?I set out to make an environment that is wholly designed to increase the sense of tranquility and serenity of the people inhabiting it - a space where everything in it is waiting for the final touch to make it complete. That final touch is the guest.? observes Joyce. By all accounts, he has succeeded, making Spa Luce an unrivaled retreat, certain to gain global recognition.