Sea Containers

Inspired by Agua London’s use of seasonal and natural products alongside their extensive range of intuitive treatments, Hendzel and Strauss sought to complement and create further engagement with these pre-existing ideals. Their solution is a curvaceous, highly-sculptural seating installation composed of hand-shaped cedar ‘boulders’ paired with a complex stretch of digitally fabricated seating components.

The piece incorporates two distinct timbers: British-grown cedar sourced from Milton Keynes and reclaimed cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels. These CLT elements – made from Norwegian spruce and European silver fir – were salvaged from the streets of London following the closure of a local CLT manufacturing facility. This careful sourcing reflects Jan Hendzel Studio’s commitment to sustainability, material storytelling and provenance-led design – which this project wholly exemplifies.

This stunning functional art piece was designed to evolve over time embracing the natural movement of timber as it responds to its environment. Guests may hear the occasional gentle crack, snap, or pop as the cedar expands and contracts, a subtle reminder of the material’s living nature. The cedar also releases a warm, grounding scent into the space, enhancing Agua Spa’s multi-sensory approach – creating a deeper connection between material and experience.

The seating element, crafted from spruce, features a soft, bull-nosed curving edge that seamlessly connects and drapes around the rigid angles of the carved cedar boulders. This fusion of flowing and connected shapes subtly references the organic human form. Another key sensory feature is the black conglomerated cork sourced from Portugal. Naturally heat-pressed, this cork releases a warm, smoky aroma that blends beautifully with the cedar’s fragrance, creating a rich and immersive scent experience. Importantly, the lignum within the cork binds together during the heating and pressing process, ensuring no plastic is used in the piece.

This truly inspired and deeply engaged effort saw Jan, Jacu and the Jan Hendzel Studio team push creative and technical boundaries to develop and deliver an emotive structure that envelops guests, reflecting the physical and conceptual ideals of both collaborators.