Recess桑拿,加拿大 / Future Simple Studio
随着热疗养生仪式在北美日益流行,Lightspeed 与 Trello 创始团队成员之一 Adam Simms,以及前 Dermapure 首席执行官 Marilyne Gagné 决心在蒙特利尔打造首个以社交为核心的冷热循环体验空间。他们邀请 Future Simple Studio 将这一愿景转化为一处鼓励人与人互动的实体绿洲。团队由此打造了 RECESS——一首献给静谧的颂歌,一次在城市快节奏生活中按下暂停键的邀请;让人们得以重置身心、恢复能量,并重新与自己及他人建立连接。RECESS 的独特体验还因与 Aesop 的产品合作而得到进一步提升。仪式感与香氛体验贯穿整个旅程,Aesop 的产品被巧妙融入其中,与 Future Simple Studio 所打造的空间氛围及设计语言相互呼应。
As thermal therapy rituals gain momentum across North America, Adam Simms, from the founding teams of Lightspeed and Trello, and former Dermapure CEO Marilyne Gagné set out to create the first social hot-cold circuit experience in Montréal. They enlisted Future Simple Studio to translate their vision into a physical oasis that encourages social interactions. The team crafted RECESS: an ode to stillness, a call to pause amidst the pace of urban life; to reset, restore, and reconnect with oneself and others. The unique experience at RECESS is enhanced by the product partnership with Aesop. Ritual and scent are woven throughout the journey, with Aesop products thoughtfully integrated to complement the atmosphere and design language developed by Future Simple Studio.
▼自然光洒入入口区域,Natural light across the entrance zone


一次 RECESS 之旅是一种经过精心规划、严格计时且循环往复的体验。整个流程通常持续 75 分钟,包括在独特圆形桑拿房中进行 20 分钟排汗、两分钟冷水浸泡,以及穿插其间的交流时刻。这种节奏鼓励人们专注于当下并建立社群联系——一种连接个人修复与集体疗愈的社交仪式。设计从古老的沐浴传统中汲取灵感,并将其提炼为一种简洁而当代的空间语言。为了强化冷热对比所形成的节奏感,Future Simple Studio 将平面布局划分为多个彼此呼应的区域,每个区域都拥有独特的材料体系与空间氛围。到访者首先进入明亮的接待区。落地窗将自然光过滤后洒入室内,与开放式铝制网格天花共同营造出通透的空间感。定向照明巧妙地引导视线向空间深处延伸,在房间尽头,一面磨砂背光玻璃砖墙以柔和的光芒暗示着旅程的开始。其前方是一张包覆原色冷轧钢的长形接待台,既稳固了空间秩序,也承担迎宾功能。在等待过程中,客人可于 Future Simple Studio 定制整合的专属洗手台体验 Aesop 产品。洗手台背后是不锈钢展示架,其纯净质感令人联想到医疗空间,同时又具有水面般的反射深度,呼应了两个品牌共同秉持的低调而精致的美学气质。
A visit to RECESS is a structured, timed, and cyclical experience. Typically lasting 75 minutes, the circuit alternates between a 20-minute sweat in a unique round sauna, a two-minute cold plunge, and moments of conversation. The rhythm encourages presence and community — a social ritual that bridges individual and collective restoration. The design draws from ancient bathing traditions distilled into an elemental, contemporary vocabulary. To emphasize the rhythm of contrast, Future Simple Studio divided the plan into complementary zones, each defined by a distinct material palette and atmosphere. Upon arrival, visitors are welcomed into a bright reception area where floor-to-ceiling windows filter natural light across an open aluminum ceiling grid. Directional lighting subtly guides the gaze toward the back of the room, where a frosted, back-lit glass-block wall softly signals arrival. In front stands a long reception desk clad in raw cold-rolled steel, anchoring the space and serving as a greeting point. While waiting, clients can sample Aesop products at the custom sink FSS integrated, set against stainless-steel shelving that recalls the purity of clinics and the reflective depth of water – echoing the understated elegance of both brands.
▼玻璃砖背景与金属前台,Glass-block backdrop and metal reception desk


一条狭长的通道将访客从接待区引向内部空间。通道环绕场地展开,随着人们沿着缓坡缓缓前行,点点光斑在其表面折射流动。灯光效果借鉴了水面的反射光影,微妙地预示着即将展开的体验。随后,通道逐渐打开,进入一处全性别共享更衣空间。高效而克制的更衣区营造出静谧氛围,为访客提供一段放松与缓冲的时刻——它是一道连接外部世界与内部冥想空间之间的安静门槛。作为一条过渡性的路径,这里温和地引导身体与意识进入接下来的仪式体验。
An elongated tunnel leads visitors away from the reception, wrapping around the space as dapples of light refract along its length as you ascend the gentle ramp. The lighting effect references reflections of water, subtly hinting at the experience to come, before the passage opens into an all-gender locker room. Efficient yet subdued, this hushed space offers a moment of decompression — a quiet threshold between the external world and the meditative interior beyond. Designed as a transitional pathway, it gently attunes the body and mind to the ritual ahead.
▼蓝色灯光引导的走廊,Blue-lit transitional corridor

▼更衣柜与换装空间,Lockers and changing area

▼通向更衣间的内部视角,View toward the changing rooms interior

走出更衣区后,访客立即被温暖而富有层次感的橡木色调与金色疗愈光线所包围,这些元素共同定义了桑拿区域的氛围。空间中央是一座可容纳 50 人的定制圆形桑拿房——如同一个雕塑般的圆柱体被置入矩形空间之中,其巨大的半径使团体引导式体验成为可能。这些带有表演性质的集体活动本身具有转化力量。在这里,人们被鼓励与他人共同呼吸、建立联系,并真实感受彼此的存在。桑拿房周围设置了石质座椅,邀请人们停留交谈;茶饮吧台则提供补水与静思的机会。
Emerging from the locker rooms, visitors are immediately enveloped in warm, moody oak tones and golden restorative light that define the sauna zone. At its center sits a custom, 50-person circular sauna — a sculptural cylinder seemingly dropped into a rectangular volume, its monumental radius allowing for guided group sessions. Performative in nature, these communal gatherings are transformative moments where one is encouraged to breathe, connect and feel with other people. Surrounding the sauna, stone benches invite conversation, while a tea station offers hydration and quiet reflection.
▼石质长凳与休憩空间,Stone bench and resting area

▼中央炉体与环形座席,Central heater and circular seating



▼社交型桑拿体验,Social sauna experience

结束桑拿后,访客会被自然引导至淋浴区。这是一处宽敞而光线幽暗的空间,让人仿佛置身于天然凉雨之下。隐藏于雕塑感石墙之后的淋浴序列帮助身体重新恢复平衡,为进入冷水浸泡区做好准备。不同于传统单人冷水浴缸,这座定制冷水池允许十二人同时浸入其中,在冷蓝色光晕的映照下共享同一池水。视觉与感官体验共同回应着冷浸本身所带来的刺激与清醒。天然石板座椅进一步强化了空间氛围,使身体在强烈对比与焕新感受中重新扎根。离开冷水池后,人体心率逐渐放缓,循环系统重新调整,进而促进内啡肽释放并减轻炎症反应。随后,访客被邀请前往休闲区聚集交流,途中需穿过一条由磨砂玻璃板构成的走廊。漫射光线在这里被柔化为朦胧而轻盈的光辉。
After the sauna, visitors are gently led to the showers, a cavernous, dimly lit space that evokes the feeling of standing beneath a cool, natural rainfall. Hidden behind a sculptural stone wall, the shower sequence restores equilibrium before entering the cold-plunge area. Unlike traditional single-person tubs, the custom cold-plunge pool invites groups of twelve to submerge together in a shared bath beneath pools of cool blue light — a visual and sensory reflection of the plunge itself. Natural stone slab benches heighten the atmosphere, grounding the body in contrast and renewal. After emerging from the plunge, the body’s heart rate slows and circulation recalibrates, triggering the release of endorphins and reducing inflammation. Visitors are then invited to gather in the lounge space, passing through a corridor of frosted glass panels that diffuse the light into a soft, ethereal glow.
▼雕塑石墙后的淋浴区,Shower area behind the sculptural stone wall


▼冷水池,Plunge pool



▼共享冷水浸泡体验,Shared cold-plunge experience

走廊尽头是一处如茧般包裹的空间。层层半透明帘幕围绕其间,既构成柔和边界,也成为投影映射与反射的载体,使空间转变为一种另类的放映厅。作为多功能休闲空间,这里承载着 RECESS 持续更新的沉浸式艺术装置、DJ 演出以及引导式呼吸练习等活动,将冷热对比所带来的感官体验进一步延伸至声音、身体运动与社群互动的层面。
Beyond lies a cocoon-like room encircled by layers of diffused curtains that act as a canvas, receiving and reflecting projection, transforming the space into an alternative screening room. This multipurpose lounge hosts RECESS’ rotating program of immersive art installations, DJ sets, and guided breathwork sessions, extending the sensory contrast into the realm of sound, movement, and community.
▼冷池细节与石材座面,Cold-plunge detail and stone seating



▼磨砂玻璃后的柔和光线,Soft light behind frosted glass panels



Architecture & Design:Future Simple Studio
Founder, Architect:Christine Djerrahian
Partner, Design Director:Ernst van ter Beek
Project Lead, Sr Designer:Martina Di Bacco
Designer:Nadège Roscoe-Rumjahn
Photography:Félix Michaud
General Contractor:HUDL
Custom Fabrication:
Sauna Concept
Atelier Gris
Cuisine Idéale
Val-Mar
C&M Textiles
Consultants:
HLB Lighting
Environnement
Électronique
Client:
RECESS Thermal Station
Owners
Adam Simms
Marilyne Gagné
Location:Griffintown, Montréal
Area:4,500 sf
Status:Completed October 2025














