Traditional Motifs Meet Modern Lines in Turkish Bath and Sauna Designs

The 'Hygge' winds blowing from Northern countries offer people a way of thinking that allows them to create warm and intimate environments during cold winter days, making themselves happy. Baths that we immerse ourselves in after a hectic day, both for cleansing and relaxation, have gradually begun to serve as spa functions as well. Hammams, which have held a significant place in our culture since ancient times, are now entering our homes. In 2019, simplicity is coming to the forefront in hammam and sauna designs, with fine details and natural textures to be used more extensively. Harmony between forms, volumes and materials will be achieved through fine metal pieces and elegant marble details, creating a simple and aesthetic appearance. Wood colors and textures will dominate in saunas and hammams, with wood-to-white transitions being frequently preferred. In hammams, natural marble textures in gray, beige and blue tones are used in transition with each other, creating different textures and patterns, and together with lighting, provide a more mystical and airy appearance to the space.

Furthermore, we can mention the use of copper and other pink tones and the rise of earth tones. While copper follows fashion-oriented design details, we will see stronger preferences for champagne gold tones compared to black and white metals.

Materials used in sauna designs should be selected from products that are heat and water resistant, unaffected by impact and suitable for hygienic conditions. For ceiling and wall coverings, you can prefer materials such as Finnish pine and American cedar. For floor coverings and seating groups, you can choose from African abachi and ayous materials. In hammam designs, it is almost impossible to go beyond natural marble textures. Floor and wall coverings used in saunas and hammams, the material used and correctly selected lighting and accessories are among the prominent design elements. If dim lighting is preferred, a more positive and more relaxing effect can be achieved. However, you should pay close attention to ensuring that everything, down to the smallest part used inside saunas, is selected to be resistant to high humidity and temperature. With colors and textures used in hammam and sauna designs, a warm atmosphere can be created. This atmosphere is supported by using natural materials. By blending traditional motifs with modern design and fine details, hammams and saunas can be given modern and aesthetic textures. Accessories and furniture to be used are determined according to needs with decorative elements. Wooden sauna ladle, copper or wooden sauna buckets, wooden sauna pillow, sauna ventilation outlet, appropriate sconce for saunas, sauna timer as needed, sauna stones, thermometer and hygrometer are accessories that can be used. Hammams are spaces with their own distinctive character, and this character is hidden in the numerous details that make up the entire space. Careful planning of each detail, and in spaces that have innovative and different designs but at the same time preserve traditional Turkish hammam culture, proper ventilation and heating systems are among the most important criteria. Nowadays, with automation systems used in heating, ventilation and lighting systems of hammams and saunas, the heating, ventilation and lighting of spaces has become more practical and spaces have become more functional. With the advancement of technology, more enjoyable and functional designs are being realized through the production of heat and water-resistant, easy-to-clean materials used in hot and humid spaces such as hammams and saunas. Eda Tahmaz Interior Architect EDDA Mimarlık