Baluar Collection 2026: Patricia Urquiola and Effe Design Sauna
Patricia Urquiola and Effe reveal the Baluar collection, a modular sauna and hammam system inspired by medieval bastions for homes and hotels.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Effe teams up with Patricia Urquiola to introduce the Baluar modular sauna and hammam collection
- Design draws inspiration from medieval bastions, merging wellness technology with architecture
- Crafted from heat-treated linden wood with vertical grooves and calibrated lighting
- Engineered for flexible configurations including freestanding, embedded, and large layouts
Effe has partnered with designer Patricia Urquiola to unveil the Baluar collection, translating the geometry of medieval bastions into a modular sauna and hammam system. The sculptural creation utilizes smooth panels of heat-treated linden wood paired with carefully adjusted lighting, establishing immersive sanctuaries tailored for both residential properties and hospitality venues.
This collaboration bridges traditional spa culture with forward-thinking design, shifting saunas away from collective facilities and into private interiors. By reinterpreting defensive fortresses into intimate, protective shelters, the system offers bathers a dedicated space to unwind and recharge while treating wellness features as integrated architectural elements.
"Our partnership with Patricia Urquiola is the next stage in the journey we embarked on all those years ago, a journey of coherence and ongoing innovation."
Marco Borghetti, Effe CEO
Engineered specifically for spatial adaptability, Baluar combines a sauna and a hammam into a modular structure capable of freestanding, embedded, or large-scale spa setups. Its minimalist linden wood framework in light or dark heat-treated tones utilizes specialized joinery to withstand high thermal stress and humidity, accented by narrow vertical grooves that emphasize its architectural presence.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Integrating historical architectural typologies like medieval bastions into modern wellness design demonstrates a growing shift toward holistic spatial experiences. Rather than treating saunas as standalone appliances, this approach embeds thermal amenities directly into the architectural fabric of a building, utilizing tactile materials and controlled lighting to cultivate psychological refuge and privacy in contemporary interior design.
Beneath its sculptural exterior, the system incorporates Effe's advanced thermal generators designed to deliver precise temperature stability and pure steam. By unifying heat, cold, steam, and quiet rest into a single framework, Baluar achieves a refined synthesis where materiality, engineering, and personal well-being converge.
Source: designboom
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