Alpine Spa – Bürgenstock Resort

The Alpine Spa - Bürgenstock Resort presents itself as an impressive retreat at an altitude of 1,100 meters and with a breathtaking view of Lake Lucerne in the heart of the Swiss Alps. The lighting concept designed by Licht Kunst Licht both delicately and effectively underlines the architectural interventions of the Berlin based architectural office Dierks & Sachs. In cooperation with plus4930 Architektur and the London based interior design practice MKV Design, the existing building, built in the 1950s, has been extended and lavishly renovated.

Spread over three levels and totaling 7,000 m2, the Alpine Spa extends an invitation to relax in an exclusive environment of indoor and outdoor pools, various saunas, cold and warm water basins, a room of silence, relaxation rooms, private spa suites, individual treatment rooms, a fitness area, and a restaurant.

About one hour’s drive from Zurich, the Alpine Spa - Bürgenstock Resort is located in a prominent position on the Bürgenberg amidst a picturesque landscape. After almost six years of construction and renovation, the resort now not only hosts a spa, but also two additional hotels in alpine seclusion with an elegant, luxurious ambience. The illumination of the outdoor facilities has also been developed by Licht Kunst Licht.

Spectacular entrance into the world of wellness

The guest first enters the spa through a tunnel mined deep into the mountain, which offers an invitation to explore the resort‘s history and surroundings in a temporary exhibition.

The illumination of the display cases on either side is partly integrated and partly occuring through adjustable spotlights. In addition to the exhibition lighting following the tunnel walls, focused light pools on the tunnel floor lead the way towards the elevators that take the guests to the spa world in the floors above.

Immersing oneself in water and atmospheric light

Through the reception area and the changing rooms, guests enter the heart of the Alpine Spa - the indoor pool. The spacious room is flooded by ample natural light during the day. “During the evening hours and at night, the pool wall recessed underwater luminaires turn the water surface into a shimmering source of light and thus create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere“, explains project manager Martina Weiss (Licht Kunst Licht). She goes on to elaborate: “In order to meet the changing requirements over the course of the day, we have created three light scenes: day, dusk, and evening.“ Wall sconces on the steel columns flanking the pool add rhythm to the space through ambient direct and indirect light. The texture of the historical massive stone masonry walls on the other hand is gently emphasized by graze lighting.

Subdued light for sauna sessions and relaxation

A connection stair case leads down to the sauna area’s cold and warm water basins and relaxation rooms. A trickling water wall flanks the stair flight and creates a delightful play of light by being highlighted with narrow-beam surface mounted luminaires.

“Particularly in the sauna area, indirect illumination through light coves and integrated lighting elements are used to offer the guests the greatest possible comfort“, Martina Weiss explains, illustrating the significance of the gentle warm light for a harmonious and calming backdrop in the spa. For the numerous cold and warm water basins, a custom designed sophisticated tread detail was developed with integrated illumination. The imperviousness and resistance to chlorinated water represented a particular challenge.

The interaction of old and new

Contrasting with the massive stone masonry walls of the historical building, the architects developed a copper and zinc sheet metal facade for parts of the new extension building, shimmering gold when interacting with light and adding freshness and airiness to the spa building. The spa‘s exterior appearance after dusk is entirely the result of a carefully tuned indoor illumination, that stands out against the night sky through the generous glass surfaces.

For the entire resort site, a custom luminaire was developed based on the former, historical pole luminaires. Timelessly designed solid bronze pole fixtures in two sizes accompany the pathways and driveways throughout the resort grounds. Through a series of several mock-ups, a special light optic with the use of a bronze mesh was developed, which shows the visitor the way with extremely warm and friendly light.

Architects: Patrik Dierks Norbert Sachs Architekten, Berlin with plus4930 Architektur

Interior Design: MKV Design, London

Lighting Design: Licht Kunst Licht AG, www.lichtkunstlicht.com 

Project- and team lead: Martina Weiss 

Project team: Martina Weiss, Isabel Sternkopf, Naiara Caballero

Photography: Johannes Roloff