ZAAZ Wellness & Beauty Spa Dubai by VSHD Design.

ZAAZ Wellness & Beauty spa by VSHD Design references Moroccan and Berber heritage combined with minimalist contemporary design. Located in Dubai’s Jumeirah neighbourhood, a sought-after residential strip known for its sandy beaches and old Emirati villas, the spa occupies a mighty 2,500 square meters across two floors.

The brief called for a space with refined attention to detail. The rustic Moroccan hammam, one of the spa’s main features, was made in Tadelakt – waterproof plaster used in Moroccan architecture for crafting water features like baths, sinks, vessels and exterior walls.

VSHD aimed to replicate the experience of the ancient bathing ritual, incorporating elements from the past within a space designed to calm the mind, body and soul. The interior offer sensuous, earthy forms laced with luxury via a structure comprising simplistic design elements, spacious volumes with an abundance of light, promoting age-old beauty treatments.

The colour palette evokes the rich natural elements of the North African desert, incorporating natural, texturally rich, earthy hues from local materials that deliver a sanctuary for beauty and wellness.

Related: Warehouse GYM D3 Dubai by VSHD Design.

The red and green glazed Zellij tiles are found throughout. These special handmade tiles were imported from Morocco and used as flooring for the entire spa in a range of natural ecru colours, while a stronger palette of red and green lines the walls as a backdrop for the bathrooms and changing room areas. In another bid to maintain a natural and earthy finish to the spa, guests discover terracotta-washed walls in the hair salon and massage rooms, echoing the clay used in the construction of Moroccan houses and Riads.

Contrary to the ornate and highly embellished design one might expect to find in other Moroccan spas, VSHD wanted to create a space that was balanced with a Nordic-like approach to simplicity. Rather than offering richly decorative spaces of grandeur, ZAAZ whisks guests to Morocco in a discreet manner. The spa upholds Morocco’s aesthetic traditions and heritage as well as its renowned beauty rituals through a minimalist design rich in materials that offer a sense of peace, serenity and escape.

Related: Hammam Spa in Portugal by Ressano Garcia.

[Images courtesy of VSHD Design Photography by Oculis Project.]