Health Club and Spa, Sheraton, Edinburgh
1996-1999

The Sheraton Hotel Health Club and Spa, which houses external and internal pools, hydrotherapy and beauty suites, a gymnasium, exercise studios, restaurant, bar and associated retail space is the UK's first stand-alone urban health spa. It is a unique centrepiece within the TFP Exchange masterplan.

Juxtaposed with the circular Conference Centre and the curving lines of the site envelope, the Spa stands out as a startlingly linear concrete and glass pavilion. Linking the Conference Centre and Spa is the triangular-shaped Conference Square, a new pedestrianised space that fronts the Spa's west (entrance) elevation.

The Spa building is designed to encourage liveliness and activity, with each use planned as a discreet individual entity within the overall whole.

A defining element in the planning of the Spa is the internal street, which maximises the intensity of uses. This runs horizontally through the centre of the building, connecting the east and west elevations, and vertically from the basement car park to the four storeys above. Either side of the street, the floor plan is segmented into two halves. Emphasising this, and creating further diversity, subdivision and movement, is the half-level change between the north and south ends of each floor.

At ground level, the retail outlet is positioned on the north-west entrance to Conference Square from the walkway, while the restaurant sits at the building's south-west end, connecting with the Square. Levels one and two contain car parking; level three – the entrance level – also houses retail and the restaurant; level four contains the aerobics area, the gym and therapy suites; level five is the changing area and contains the bridge link to the Sheraton Hotel; and level six houses the pools and thermal suite. The result is maximum connectivity and efficiency of circulation.

The architecture of the Spa is designed to capitalise on its compact setting. It can be glimpsed from various points around the masterplan, enticing the visitor through the perimeter buildings into the core of the site. The sense of light, space and weightlessness of the elevations contrasts dramatically with the surrounding stone facades and provides a clear indication of the building's role as a place for leisure, relaxation and the promotion of good health.

The Spa is an example of bold architecture integrated into its urban setting. It is a building that seeks to exploit the minimum of form, materials and colour to maximum potential. The aim is to bring richness and diversity into a new part of the city by becoming a colourful focal point and place-maker in its own right.