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Spa WanapineSpa Wanapine at Kah-Nee-Ta Resort in Portland, Oregon, has been open for a year; however, its design celebrates thousands of years of Indian culture. The building's interior incorporates local materials, indigenous designs and carefully selected colors to make subtle yet impacting references to the history and culture of the three tribes that operate the resort. The spa, which was completed in 1998, features some of Portland's Neo Design Studio's most challenging work. "Our job was to create an elegant spa atmosphere that, not only highlighted the area's Indian culture, but one that spoke to each individual tribe and their own uniqueness," says Lisa Marachal of Neo. References to the history of the reservation's three tribes surround visitors of the facility. The unique character of each tribe is represented, with water and nature being the foundation for design's inspiration. The entrance is probably the most spectacular design aspect of the spa. It is a welcoming space that prepares visitors for the relaxation and healing that they will encounter within. The gentle S-curve shape of the lobby suggests yin and yang, the Asian symbol of balance. Neo felt yin and yang was the perfect symbol for the entrance to Spa Wanapine, which is essentially a European spa that delivers Native American spirituality. Additionally, all of the colors are intended to allude to the river and the natural thermal springs that the spa sources its water from. "We spent a lot of time researching each aspect of the spa. It was important to infuse meaning into the building's design and to honor the land and people of Warm Springs," says Marachal. And she did her homework, pouring through thousands of photos and historical documents at the nearby Museum at Warm Springs to learn about the tribes and their legacies. Additionally, in her quest for weathered wood to adorn the spa's custom furniture, she called farmers across the state and drove hundreds of miles to survey old barn siding. After traversing Oregon from Pendleton to La Pine, eventually she came across a barn that seemed just right-never mind the fact that it needed to be dismantled. Her research also led Marachal to incorporate handpicked rocks from the area to create colorful rock-pattern mural designs that suggests the flowing waters of the nearby Warm Springs River. Reference to the trees of the area are echoed throughout the spa in exquisite light fixtures, and also in a fabulous, custom, iron gate that leads to the treatment rooms. Kah-Nee-Ta resort was founded in 1964 by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Located on the 600,000 acre Warm Springs Reservation, 119 miles east of Portland in central Oregon, the resort is a less than a two-hour scenic drive from Portland International Airport. Known as the Northwest's premiere location for family fun and adventure, Kah-Nee-Ta averages an abundant 300 days of sunshine per year. Kah-Nee-Ta Resort and Casino Edited by Dave Shultz Readers Report: One of our readers sent in this information about an experience they had at this spa. We are printing it here for your consideration ... From Judy McMillan/McIntosh: The water temperature was set by the attendant incredibly hot and to get into
the tub there is no stepstool or handles so that I had to lift my leg very high
to step into the tub. When my foot hit this hot water I started back and because
the floor was extremely slippery, I fell back, hit my head on the wall, my legs
on the tub and fell to the floor. |
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