Eco-friendly materials and finishes From environmentally sound clay renders to natural-looking materials made from recycled plastic, designers have a whole new palette of inspiring resources Beverley Bayes creative director, Sparcstudio As the creative director at Sparcstudio, Beverley Bayes has overseen many award-winning spa designs, including The Spa at South Lodge in Surrey, UK, which has won numerous sustainability awards. “Sustainability in spas has been in the spotlight for some years,” she says, “but now we are seeing true innovation in terms of the sustainable materials and finishes that are available for project designers to use. “Many of these materials also have health and comfort benefits, including reducing noise or providing thermal insulation, and are non-toxic or boast low volatile organic compound (VOC) Right from top: Sparcstudio projects – Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House, Hertfordshire; Aqua Sana at Center Parcs Elveden Forest, Suffolk
How to avoid greenwashing Warrick Burton Managing director, Titanic Spa, Yorkshire, UK “To counter claims of greenwashing, it is crucial to prioritise transparency and credibility in your sustainability initiatives. “Emphasise the importance of open communication with your audience, whether they are guests or the wider community. “Consider forming a dedicated sustainability committee, like we have at Titanic Spa, to regularly assess your progress, educate others and evaluate the effectiveness of your efforts. “It is important to always maintain a commitment to ongoing improvements, adapting your eco strategies in alignment with current environmental developments. The ultimate goal should be to set an example and establish a standard for authentic sustainability in our industry.” www.titanicspa.com 26
emissions. Our clients (an increasing number of which are B Corp-certified) recognise the need to create sustainable environments, and this is also important to discerning customers.”
Sustainable by design Bayes says that among the eco-friendly materials being specified are clay-based wall renders. “Clayworks produces a natural and PLATINUM RESOURCE 2024
