A holistic wellness centre

“Not just a gym, spa or swimming pool, but a modern holistic experience focused on total personal well-being” is the philosophy embraced by Nemea Energy Village, opened in 2014 in Italy’s Campania region. In this citadel of sport and wellness, even the name is ambitious: ‘Nemea’ refers to the first pre-Olympic games, the Panhellenic games staged in the ancient Greek city of Nemea. With a floor space of around 5,000 square metres, the resort hosts a wide range of multidisciplinary offerings, an explosive blend of diverse activities (swimming pools, fitness area, spa, zumba, crossfit, spinning, fit box, etc.) in keeping with the ancient but ever relevant Latin aphorism ‘mens sana in corpore sano’ – ‘a healthy mind in a healthy body’. The aim of the project was to contribute to the client’s broader goal of regenerating the metropolitan area to the north of Naples and transforming the resort into a local hub of socialisation. It drew on the extensive experience acquired by architect Mauro Schiavon from Milan-based practice AArchitetti in the fields of fitness and wellness, both in Italy and abroad. The multifunctional resort is a state-of-the-art facility in which the dynamic spaces, including the fitness area and the swimming pool, are complemented by splendidly-appointed recreational areas such as the energy bar and the roof restaurant.
Given the considerable stress that floors and walls are subjected to in a centre of this kind, the architect chose ceramic tiles from Atlas Concorde as the surface covering materials due to their outstanding technical performance and aesthetics. The Axi collection, which reproduces the vitality and appeal of wood in coloured-body porcelain, was used in a number of high-traffic areas, including the spa, the wellness area, the bathrooms and the spaces surrounding the swimming pool and terrace. The availability of a number of wood versions enabled the architect to experiment with four different kinds of surfaces (White Pine, Golden Oak, Silver Fir and Brown Chestnut), all of which are produced in typical plank sizes. The three-dimensional microstructure and water and moisture resistance of the Axi matt finish meant that the wood textures, knots and irregular grain could even be used in the bathrooms and showers. The textured finish with a striking flat sawn effect was chosen for the exteriors, most notably in the swimming pool area, due to its non-slip surface and resistance to thermal shock and atmospheric agents. In the outdoor spaces this series is used alongside the Granigliati collection.
The bathroom floors and walls exhibit a kaleidoscopic effect created by the extensive colour palette of the Greencolors glazed porcelain collection, a product that uses 99% raw materials originating from recycled unfired waste.