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Facility: One on One with Clodagh

As one of the first interior designers to incorporate feng shui principles, the Irish-born Clodagh has since incorporated her signature use of elements and indigenous materials into some of the most renowned hotel and day spas. Her Clodagh Design International company includes an architectural and design studio, as well as product and gallery divisions. Some of her prominent spa design projects include the Elizabeth Arden Spa in New York, Nemacolin Woodlands Spa in Laurel Highlands, PA and Sasanqua Spa in Kiawah, SC. Her transformative contribution to the industry was recently acknowledged when the International Spa Association bestowed her with its ISPA 2007 Visionary Award.

DAYSPA recently chatted with Clodagh about current trends in spa design and what inspires her unique vision.

Where do you turn for inspiration?
The world is my studio. I travel all the time, and go all over the world, as far away as Africa. I use video and take photographs, and they inspire me for color, for form. Also, people inspire me, and the way people treat other people, because you’re not just designing. You’re actually creating an experience. When the client walks in off the street, they expect to be transformed—Immediately. It’s “relax me, and relax me this minute!”

Exactly! So how do you consistently create that space?
I try, if I can, to have a street presence. I do something where I emulate a bridge, or have a water element outside. A spa is a business, but it should never look like a business. A spa has to comfort.

    It’s really a question of giving gifts to your clients. Whether it’s a visual gift, or something that they inhale, or something that they feel or touch, it has to move them into a different space and time. So their time slows down.

You’re a pioneer of incorporating feng shui principles into design. What are the challenges of bringing this practice into spas?
We must address all the senses and incorporate all the elements. Acoustics are always a problem. We need to make sure that the sound doesn’t leak through from room to room. I went to one spa and heard the entire breakdown of someone’s marriage while I was trying to relax with a stone massage.
Also, I don’t particularly like spa music. It just drones on and on. But the sound of water is something most people love. Spas have different personalities. Some are very bright and lively. Some might be more earthy and quiet.

What are some other current trends in spa design?
The beds are getting a little wider and more comfortable, and they have more storage. And I think that spa owners are understanding that when clients lie on their backs, they don’t want to see ceiling acne. There should be something nice for them to look at when they turn over. I also think spa lighting is improving immensely. We’ve been using [battery-operated, rechargeable] LED candles so there’s no fire hazard.

How are eco-friendly practices continuing to evolve in spa design?
I think spas are becoming more conscious about the amount of energy they actually use, and the amount of water. I think spas are giving back more, to the community and to unfortunate people overseas. And also some spas are designating small percentages of their turn over to philanthropic funds.

    Everything is more contextual. A lot of the spas are drawing on their surroundings, and I think in a way, teaching people about their surroundings.

    Incorporating local arts and craft pieces into design makes a spa more community-centered. We deliberately try to incorporate that into our spas. For The Spa at the Miraval Resort in Tucson, we went downtown to the craft marts, local antique stores and [commissioned work from] local artists to bring in the elements.

Thank you, Clodagh. Congratulations on the ISPA 2007 Visionary Award.
Thank you. I think it’s the nicest honor one can get, to be acknowledged by your peers. I think most of us just work all the time, and usually the flattering punctuation is delivering a successful project. So this is very heart-warming. The problem is, it will only make me work harder! Receiving an award, or getting a terrific new project inspires me to try to reach greater excellence.

—Sarah Colombo

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