Rome Design Awards Silver

2025

Sanctum

Entrant Company

Zeyu Liu

Category

Interior Design - Spa & Wellness

Client's Name

Country / Region

United States

Sanctum is a wellness retreat that evokes presence, dignity, and emotional calm. Nestled within the misty forests of the Colorado mountains, the space serves as a quiet sanctuary for older adults seeking physical comfort and spiritual restoration.



The architectural narrative is built on the interplay between nature and stillness. Arched structural forms reflect the continuity of breath and time. Moss green ribbed walls, burnt orange velvet seating, and brushed brass accents form a warm, muted palette that is grounded and elevated. Natural light filters gently through fogged glass, while curated mist and reflection are used throughout the space to soften boundaries and deepen the sense of immersion.



At the heart of Sanctum lies its most sacred moment: a circular chamber featuring a matte black stone fire basin, directly beneath a sculptural chandelier composed of brushed gold petals. The chandelier glows with warm amber light, forming a crown of illumination—a moment of awe within stillness.



Every space, from the semi-outdoor hot spring surrounded by pine trees to the scent-infused meditation alcove, has been crafted to foster sensory healing. The project favors quiet gestures over grand declarations. Luxury is expressed not in opulence but in the reverence of detail—how light reflects across marble, how air carries scent, and how silence becomes shape.



Sanctum reimagines the spa as a place of inner return. It is less about indulgence and more about honoring life's pace, fragility, and quiet power.

Credits

Human-Centered Designer and Aging Researcher
Zeyu Liu
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