waterfrom opens ephemeral spa, 'exhibition of frozen time' in beijing

with the launching of the ‘aqua health clinic’ brand in beijing, taiwanese studio waterfrom design creates the atmospheric spa entitled ‘exhibition of frozen time.’ the design team curates a space influenced by wellness and traditional chinese medicine, moving away from antiquated medicine cabinets and the smell of aging herbs. the project introduces a cosmetic spa with a contemporary atmosphere to reinterpret the historic impression of traditional chinese medicine. the space makes use of the medical principles of pulse diagnosis, medication, and food therapies as an approach to craft specific treatments for visitors seeking to relieve physical and psychological fatigue. waterfrom design’s space enables visitors to take part of the five-senses culture through space, diet, and spa, as well as experience the ancient internal and external health cultivation of traditional chinese medicine.

all images by kuomin lee, lenmuG

working with aqua health clinic, waterfrom design employs a conceptual approach in the creation of ‘exhibition of frozen time’ in beijing. the design team stresses that the view of ‘time’ to which people most largely relate is relative to their own lifespan. living beings are in this way tangible carriers of time themselves. waterfrom design elaborates: ‘our goal is to enable visitors receiving the diagnosis and treatment of traditional chinese medicine or spa care to experience the tenderness in the environment rich in technological and medical principles. such tenderness comes from the sense of slowness of detachment from time and space, refinement, and endless aftertaste from art. therefore, the use of ‘exhibition of frozen time’ as the design idea was initiated.’

upon entering waterfrom design’s ‘exhibition of frozen time’ in beijing, a long glass case is flooded with warm light, and filled with an environment of moss which floats like a cloud. this natural plant life artwork, in the center of a cool-toned, solid wood floor stained with soft-stem bulrush, was originally a chair stool. this space, surrounded by a beige gray interior, is capped at one end with a matte frosted acrylic screen which renders occupants as ephemeral, blurred figures.