TechnoAlpin’s snow technology is not only an effective way to introduce gentle cold therapy into the spa environment, it’s also a powerful biophilic design element that can bring the wonder of nature indoors

The mental and physical benefits of spending time in awe-inspiring nature – from forest bathing to hot spring dipping to watching the Aurora Borealis – are well documented. But while growing numbers of people are out enjoying the latest ‘nature trends’, the fact remains that a significant majority, especially city dwellers, could be spending up to 90 per cent of their time indoors.

With great advances in biophilic design – where designers and architects bring natural elements into the built environment – there has never been a better time for wellness facilities to become the places where customers can get a whole range of realistic and beneficial ‘nature fixes’ however and whenever they want.

Giuliana Salmaso, architect and founder of Studio Giuliana Salmaso and an expert in biophilic design, says: “Today it’s possible to create indoor environments that rejuvenate almost as much as a walk in the woods. Our goal is to create spaces where stress-inducing elements are neutralised and regenerative components are maximised.”

These design concepts go way beyond just the introduction of plants and greenery, of course. The Tuscany-based studio recently collaborated with leading snow creators TechnoAlpin Indoor – also based in Italy – to create a multi-sensory biophilic wellness space focused on the cold therapy journey.

The ‘cold with joy’ concept is based around centuries-old contrast therapy, inspired by ancient Roman and Kneipp practices. Salmaso’s design guides visitors through warm and cold elements, different forms of water and snow, making the cold experience enjoyable and accessible without the sudden shock of intense temperature change.

Salmaso says: ”I wanted to capture that feeling of wellbeing, intimacy, happiness and calmness that one experiences when watching snow fall. This was made possible with TechnoAlpin’s technology that generates soft indoor snow, filling different areas of the spa with the enchanting sight of crisp and freshly-fallen snow.”

Fresh powder snow
TechnoAlpin’s Snowsky is the technology that produces this real snowfall in the middle of a room. For even greater immersion, TechnoAlpin’s Snowroom offers a holistic way for guests to cool down, especially after a sauna or steamroom session, enveloping them in an engaging cave-like atmosphere of cold air and soft snow.

The Snowroom is cooled to -10° C (14°F) and filled with real snow,made from only water and air.

Fresh snow is made every night, so clean powder snow is ready every morning to delight guests. The entire body cools down efficiently and gently: the respiratory tract and lungs, organs and brain cells cool down at a slow pace and the skin is cooled over the entire surface without any damage to the tissues.

Sara Brenninger of TechnoAlpin says: “Snow is the gentlest version of cooling and can be enjoyed by both men and women of any age. The benefits of cold therapy are made accessible to all, without the shock or dizziness that many would like to avoid.”

Snow also ticks many of the right boxes for an effective biophilic design environment. As Salmaso says: “A well-designed restorative space should incorporate as many biophilic patterns as possible. An innovative approach is integrating snow, which provides thermal variability when combined with warm elements such as a sauna.

“The integration of snow in an indoor spa environment covers at least four of the 15 biophilic design patterns. Snow is a biophilic element that designers can use, just like water, plants and animals. It’s fascinating – a form of water – and engages all the senses.”

With advances in technology, indoor snow can become a special highlight for luxury wellness and spa areas – a new way of cooling down that guests will remember.

More: www.indoor.technoalpin.com