Vidago Palace Spa Oporto, Porto Health, Contemporary Portugal Building Photos

Vidago Palace Spa : Oporto Building

Portuguese Architectural Project design by Álvaro Siza architect

2 May 2012

Vidago Palace Spa Building

Location: Porto, Portugal

Date built: 2012

Design: Álvaro Siza Vieira

photo : Nelson Garrido

Vidago Palace Spa

In stark contrast to the main building’s Belle Epoque opulence, The Spa is a minimalist oasis of clean lines and white marble. Designed by Pritzker Prize winning architect Álvaro Siza Vieira, the modern, zen-like space has a distinctly calming quality.

photo : Nelson Garrido

The spa building by Álvaro Siza moves away from his typical style of white-coloured designs to use a warm, pink colour reminiscent of Luis Barragán’s works in Mexico. This contrasts with a more typically white interior and feels successful, obviously working with the colour of the original building. Some architects would no doubt have decided on a contrast between old and new to articulate the differance.

The oddly angled window and the curiously proportioned ‘two-legged floating promontory’ however are less positive and appear a bit clumsy.

Adrian Welch, editor

photos : Nelson Garrido

Vidago’s mineral water is key to The Spa’s character and is used in treatments. Vidago Palace Spa features 20 treatment rooms including hydrotherapy & couple suites, 15m indoor swimming pool, outdoor vitality pool, hammam with steam room, sauna & ice fountain, relaxation room, yoga area and a fully equipped, state-of-the-art gym.

photos : Nelson Garrido