Studio Anqet’s latest luxury project—a contemporary countryside spa in the village of Much Hadham—is an ideal wellness retreat for guests looking for a luxurious yet sustainable destination.
On its facility guests can choose to spend time in a lavish spa building, or outside in a spacious BBQ area with a living terrace, a picturesque swimming pool, and a biophilic landscape design.
Studio Anqet is a well-established multi-award-winning design studio providing interior, landscape, and architectural design services. By focusing on the impeccable design that can improve lives Studio Anqet creates interiors & landscapes formulated to uplift, inspire, and delight. Committed to wellness-centric design and sustainable practices, while guided by their clients’ aspirations, they are able to breathe life into personal visions – turning houses into incredible homes and buildings into beautiful sanctuaries.
That is why when designing this luxury wellness retreat in Much Hadham, Studio Anqet’s designers saw an opportunity to turn the property with sprawling grounds into a lavish leisure facility that also promotes holistic wellbeing.
Drawing on the contemporary architecture of the home, the additional buildings feature elements such as expansive wall-to-wall glazing and ambient lighting. To create dramatic lighting effects and enhance the ambiance of the outdoor space, Studio Anqet used Lucande Habsa LED path lights and feather lights from Catellani & Smith. These design choices not only harmonize with the main residence but also seamlessly integrate with the natural surroundings.
The landscaping and leisure areas surrounding the property were meticulously crafted to serve as a sanctuary for the family. From the expansive swimming pool featuring a distinctive central planter, to the BBQ area complete with a fully equipped kitchen and custom sunken seating zones, each area was introduced to elevate the experience. Both communal gathering spaces and secluded corners were seamlessly integrated to evoke moments of connection or privacy.
At the heart of the outdoor space stands a marvellous center piece, a sculpture crafted from polished bronze, aluminium and steel by renowned artist Lorenzo Quinn. This captivating artwork is visible from the pool and all the glazed outdoor buildings.
Wellness amenities feature an outdoor hot tub, indoor and outdoor showers, and an array of massage features, including a soothing foot spa. Two integral parts of the sauna design are a cedar wood sauna and a Himalayan salt wall. They not only enhance the visual appeal but offer numerous health benefits, including stress reduction and immune system support.
The use of sustainably sourced cedar wood in the sauna enhances the sensory experience, evoking the feeling of being outdoors in a Scandinavian Forest. Combined with the soothing aroma of eucalyptus oil, the sauna provides a multisensory journey to relaxation. Each area is designed to indulge in peacefulness and evoke mental harmony through multiple sensory experiences.
Sustainability, recyclability, as well energy efficiency were integral criteria for selecting materials. For example, the Silver Quartz (Honed) water feature tile from Island Stone is ethically harvested; while the composite wood decking from Millboard is a sustainable material made from recycled wood and plastic.
The lighting used for the landscaping is low-wattage, efficient, and long-lasting LED lamps. Due to the energy demands of the swimming pool and hot tub, an air source heat pump has been installed to power the required pumps as well as 45 solar panels to reduce energy costs and help reduce the CO2 output of these facilities.
A selection of eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient technologies were a priority. From ethically sourced stone tiles to composite wood decking made from sustainable materials, every aspect of the project reflects a commitment to reducing environmental impact while retaining the luxurious lifestyle of the client.
