zoltan varro's mirrored spa occupies a 14th century moat in hungary

as part of the newly completed platan guest house and restaurant, budapest-based designer zoltan varro transforms an ancient moat alongside a 14th-century castle in hungary. the project introduces a new and contemporary landscape inspired by the design philosophy of repurposing heritage sites that can no longer perform their function. celebrating the natural beauty of the site, the designer worked together with local environmentalists and a wildlife artist. the new project offers a spa addition to the overall restaurant and guest house, contrasting their baroque styles with a minimal language comprising two simple mirrored volumes.

image by erika gancs

surrounded by the ancient castle walls and embedded within the grounds that once acted as a defensive moat, zoltan varro‘s spa takes shape as a pair mirrored structures. the two geometries are at once visible and hidden from visitors passing above. the volumes are clad with reflective windows, offering guests a place of private relaxation surrounded by carefully tended gardens, while onlookers will see nothing but the reflection of the stonework of the castle walls. while the camouflaged spa is only accessible to visitors of the platan guest house, it is exposed to the rest of the city. it introduces a unique sense of exclusivity, one that mirrors its heritage while still offering isolated comfort in an otherwise open and publicly visible space.

image by erika gancs

with the platan spa in tata, zoltan varro seeks to ensure a minimal impact on the historic grounds of the 14th century castle. while the ‘floating’ structures sit on the land, they could be removed without any permanent damage to the castle grounds. the castle walls next to the area has also been refurbished, thus protecting the medieval walls from further deterioration, which will now be visible at night with sophisticated yet subtle lighting. greater still, much of the original fauna is to be cultivated in cooperation with local environmentalists, not only providing serene sights for visitors of the spa but to emphasize the fleeting nature of these inventive floating structures. illustrations of birds of prey, created by a wildlife artist, will also be placed on the mirrored walls to protect any birds from an unexpected collision.

image by erika gancs