Published: Jul 15, 2008
By Renew

This arena-sized sanctuary pushes the boundaries of a conventional spa with cosmopolitan flair and unexpected design elements.

When David Wagner thought about bringing his latest monolith salon-spa to life, he wanted to turn the notion of a snooze-inducing, earthy spa on its perfectly peaceful head. Think nightclub—not Club Med.

“I saw a shift in the spa environment from being very calming and relaxing to a focus on regeneration,” Wagner says. “We think that feeling of inspiration doesn’t come from quiet music, sage green and burning candles, but from stimulating design and sound.”

Enter Wagner’s 10th Juut location, which happens to be the 2008 winner of sister publication SALON TODAY’s Salon of the Year competition. The name comes from the Japanese word “Juuten,” which means to refill—specifically to uplift humanity and serve others, according to Wagner.

The 8,000 square-foot glass sanctuary is anchored by a central atrium; a 70-foot glass elevator connects the two floors. In its past life, Juut was a restaurant and nightclub, which inspired Wagner’s design. He aimed to create spacious retreat with an urban aura, similar to a W Hotel.

“People are loving it,” Wagner says. “One woman said she wanted to drink a cosmo, not chamomile tea. This is like going to New York—that’s the vibe.”

To see pictures of the contest runners-up, visit www.salontoday.com.

by Molly Noonan