East Fremantle | 435 sqm | Architecture & Interiors

Dating back to 1903 and originally home to stables and storerooms, the lower levels of East Fremantle’s Royal George Hotel sat vacant for decades before they were transformed into the flagship venue for the Alchemy Saunas group.

An alternative to traditional spa culture, Alchemy Saunas ‘fire and ice’ ethos is centred around recovery, health and community. Servicing a broad demographic and highly egalitarian, the environment acts as a ‘third space’ that is neither home nor work, designed for connection as well as recovery.

Inspired by Roman bathhouses, the design approach for the two-storey wellness centre was deliberately restrained. Rather than attempting to replicate or compete with the historic architecture, we retained the basic fabric while using sensitive interventions as required. The building’s impressive volumes and textures required little to no embellishment.

The simple materials palette is designed to age and patina – clay brick tiles, raw steel, copper, timber and epoxy flooring were chosen for their durability and performance. Restrained and utilitarian, rather than decorative, the suite of contemporary materials sit comfortably alongside the historic fabric while creating a calm, communal atmosphere that has a clear connection to place. 

Photography | Jack Lovel

Styling | Amy Collins-Walker