Space planning a wellness resort: the São Félix Hotel case study (Portugal)
How 2D space planning shapes wellness resorts. A São Félix Hotel case study covering gym, spa, studios and outdoor areas—before interior design begins.
Views from the hotel over a verdant valley below
Why space planning comes first
Before sketches become renders and finishes, smart projects begin with 2D space planning: a clear, scaled layout that tests adjacencies, circulation, back-of-house flow and technical allowances. For wellness-led hotels and mixed-use developments, this early phase prevents costly rework later and ensures the guest journey and operational logic are right from day one.
At Biofilico, we often deliver space planning as a discrete early service—especially for repositionings—before moving into full interior design and specifications. Below we share how this played out at the future São Félix Wellness Resort in Portugal, a hotel refurbishment with a longevity focus.
What space planning solves (for owners & operators)
Programme fit & revenue logic: Confirms the right mix and scale of spaces (treatment rooms vs. recovery tech, gym vs. studios) mapped to target revenues and demand.
Guest journey & brand narrative: Aligns arrival, assessment, treatment, relaxation and social touchpoints with a coherent wellness story.
Operational efficiency: BOH routes, storage, laundry, staff facilities and service points are positioned to keep guest paths calm and uncluttered.
Technical feasibility: Early checks for structure, MEP, acoustics, wet areas, hydrothermal loads, plant rooms and equipment footprints.
Future-proofing: Zones and rooms set up to flex (e.g., tech-agnostic “plug-and-play” treatment rooms).
Our method in brief
Programming & KPIs – define the wellness mix and target capacities by zone.
Adjacencies & zoning – map quiet vs. active, wet vs. dry, public vs. private.
Circulation – minimise cross-flows; create intuitive loops back to hydration and exits.
Support spaces – position BOH, plant, staff and towel points to reduce turnaround times.
Technical allowances – allow for power, ventilation, drainage, acoustic separation, and equipment clearances.
Iteration – pressure-test options against brand, budget and buildability before committing to design detail.
Case study: São Félix Wellness Resort — proposed space plan by level
Low resolution space plan shown for client confidentiality while project in progress
Ground Floor – Arrival, Holistic Studio, Gym & Changing Facilities:
Guests enter via the wellness lounge for a calm arrival and orientation, with a staffed desk for check-in and assessments leading to the adjacent changing rooms to store personal items before proceeding to the gym area to one side or out to the holistic studio on the other.
The main gym is loosely divided into two training zones, one for cardio and the other for strength, with a solid flooring material such as vinyl tiles or rolls of rubber gym flooring.
A separate functional training zone provides a full set of dumbbells, two squat racks and a range of functional equipment such as sandbags, kettlebells, medicine balls, step-up boxes, barbells and weight plates.
A group fitness area has a light equipment set-up including exercise mats, dumbbells, and resistance bands. Sessions can be delivered either in-person by an instructor or via digital content on the wall-mounted screen. In one corner sits a movable fitness testing set-up for guests’ VO2 max assessments, a key biomarker of healthspan.
A holistic studio of 95m2 provides a dedicated, low energy space for yoga, breathwork, workshops and other bodyweight only practices. An outside terrace can also be used for small group sessions for 5-6 people when weather allows.
Low resolution image shown for clien confidentiality while project in progress
Lower First Floor – Spa reception, Treatment rooms, Biohacking / Recovery, Medical consultation rooms:
Guests transition from the hotel into a dedicated spa reception with curated retail, where check-in and short consultations orient them toward either traditional therapies or touchless recovery and biohacking.
In addition to the waiting room, male and female changing areas allow guests to prepare for their treatment in comfort, with minimal distance from locker to therapy room.
Entering the spa they are greeted by a nature wall of plants and views of an internal zen garden, allowing us to introduce the calming effects of biophilia into the guest journey.
Three therapy rooms for physical touch (e.g. massage, facials) include a couples suite with bath tub and WC. There is also an Energy & Mind room with en-suite shower for holistic and spiritual energy practices.
Moving further into the spa, three biohacking recliners facing out to the terrace are allocated for IV drips, red light facials, compression therapies and so on.
The touchless (technology based) therapy rooms are provisionally assigned to a dry float bed, a full-body red light therapy cabin, anti-aging beauty treatments, a body roller / lymphatic drainage room and a vibro-acoustic lounger.
One additional therapy room (marked as room 6) is available for any additional spa technology required.
An outdoor chill-out area has three 2-person day beds , generously spaced apart for privacy, assuming they may be used by couples. Another green wall here maintains the lush, verdant aesthetic of the spa interior.
Two other areas make-up this floor’s wellness space, the first is a consultation area and the other is Back Of House.
A total of five consultation rooms are on offer for guests, notionally allocated to physiotherapy; breath and light therapy; diagnostics; a health coach room and a medical doctor room (benefitting from natural light and views out onto the valley). Finally, a wellness room will replace the existing billiards room, here we envisage a small pilates studio perhaps.
Back-of-house storage, staff relaxation area and service circulation run behind the treatment spine to keep movement invisible and turnarounds efficient. Additionally, a number of service points for towels and cleaning utensils have been spread around the wellness zones.
Low resolution image shown for client confidentiality while project is in progress
Lower Second Floor – Thermal / Wet Area & Deep Relaxation:
Guests arrive from spa reception via the stairs into a hushed, low-light zone where the contrast therapy / thermal core anchors the sequence.
Three double day beds face out towards the valley to maximize the external views , as do the five individually heated spa loungers designed to offer a restorative, low intensity experience to acclimatize after an ice bath. Three nap pods are nestled up close to a green wall of plants for extra privacy.
Two ice baths of different temperatures sit on the raised platform at the back of this space, along with a guest shower (this is to be used by guests every time before entering an ice bath).
A large Finnish sauna provides ample space for 12-15 guests and potentially guided Aufguss sauna sessions too. An adjacent steam room / Turkish bath compliments the trio of thermal experiences in this zone.
Storage and staff support sit behind the wet zone to streamline resets and linen flow, while clear sightlines enable discreet supervision without compromising tranquillity.
Circulation forms a simple loop that returns guests to hydration and exit points, with non-slip finishes, acoustic buffering, and compact travel distances ensuring comfort and accessibility throughout.
Low resolution image shown for client confidentiality while project is in progress
Lower Third Floor – Pool Deck, Outdoor Contrast Therapy & Social Area:
Guests step onto an open deck oriented to the valley views, with a 250m2 circular pool as the focal anchor and paired loungers arranged around its perimeter.
A communal fire pit with single lounge chairs forms the social node for sunset gatherings, set back from the main circulation path so that heat and smoke do not disturb others in the evenings.
On the view-facing edge, an outdoor sauna and (the piece de la resistance!) a snow room create a concise but attention-grabbing (i.e. Instagram-friendly) hot–cold circuit, with an outdoor shower/footwash positioned to encourage frequent rinses in between dips in the pool and contrast therapy sessions.
Nota bene: the snow room requires its own technical room set-up to be located as close as possible to the actual snow room. Exact configuration to be detailed in a subsequent design phase, with additional input from the project engineer.
Clear looped circulation keeps traffic flowing around the water’s edge while discrete gates lead to changing rooms, and a BOH store adjacent to the deck enables rapid towel replenishment and cleaning without crossing guest paths.
Guarded edges, non-slip decking and subtle wind baffles here would help to preserve comfort and safety in all seasons, along with low-glare lighting and privacy screening.
Low resolution image shown for client confidentiality while project is in progress
Lower Fourth Floor – Padel court, Outdoor gym & Quiet Contemplation:
Nestled down amongst the abundant foliage, guests step onto an open-air activity deck where the 200m2 standard size padel court anchors the zone, oriented to make the most of the daylight.
To one side, a 140 m² functional training zone on a concrete slab support covered in outdoor gym tiles provides space for bodyweight circuits and small-group PT around a outdoor rig (approx. 5.0 × 2.75 m). A sprint track (turf) can also be used for sled push-pull exercises and acceleration work.
At the far, view-oriented end, a 50 m² meditation terrace is purposefully set away to preserve a greater degree of quiet and privacy, with wind baffles and low-glare lighting enabling dawn and dusk sessions without spill back to the courts.
Non-slip surfacing, screened edges and clearly marked run-offs would help complete a safe journey from stairway to the padel, gym and meditation zones.
Nota Bene: a new WC was requested on this level for guest comfort. This requires technical input from the project engineer to understand the options for connecting to sewage system on upper levels.
Design principles embedded in the plan
Active-to-passive gradient: Noisy, high-energy spaces give way to quiet, restorative areas to support nervous-system regulation.
Dry-to-wet sequencing: Changing → treatment → thermal → pool is legible and efficient.
Minimal cross-flows: Guest and service routes are separate; housekeeping touchpoints are distributed and hidden.
Biophilia at key moments: Nature walls, garden views and planting clusters cue calm without heavy maintenance.
Longevity integration: Diagnostics, VO₂ testing and recovery technology sit alongside traditional spa therapies for a holistic offer.
Flexibility: One tech-agnostic room and modular recovery stations allow future upgrades without re-planning.
What this unlocks next
With the 2D plan signed off, we move into concept & schematic design: finishes, lighting strategy, acoustics, FF&E, equipment specifications, MEP coordination and detailed back-of-house workflows—confident that the bones of the project are right.
FAQs
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Scaled 2D floor plans with room names and capacities; adjacency and circulation diagrams; BOH/service strategy; high-level technical notes; and a short narrative explaining guest and staff flows.
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Typically a short, focused engagement with rapid iterations—fast enough to inform budgets and programming before design development. Depending on the size of the floor area involved, as well as how clearly the concept and facility list are defined prior to starting work , this can be anything from 4-6 weeks, with integration of client feedback.
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Yes—decks, pools, hot & cold (contrast bathing) circuits, outdoor gyms and contemplative gardens for meditation require the same rigour as indoor zones, so we include those here as well.
If you’re planning or repositioning a wellness-led hotel or mixed-use asset, we can deliver rapid 2D space planning to validate your programme, revenue logic and guest journey—before design spend ramps up. Share your plans and constraints, and we’ll propose clear options with pros/cons and capex implications. Email us here
Sustainable Design for Hotels, Offices, Universities & Residences
student lounge design by Biofilico for Carnegie Mellon University Qatar using sustainable materials
Green Building Elements: Sustainable Design Transforming Hotels, Offices, Universities and Residential Buildings for Health and Environmental Impact
Introduction to Sustainable Design
Recent research shows that buildings account for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, yet 87% of business leaders now recognize that sustainable design directly impacts occupant health, productivity, and bottom-line performance. As environmental consciousness reaches a tipping point, the hospitality, corporate, educational, and residential sectors face unprecedented pressure to adopt sustainable design practices that deliver both ecological and human wellness benefits.
Energy and environmental design principles guide these sustainable building practices and are recognized by industry standards such as LEED and BREEAM, which assess energy efficiency, environmental impact, and overall sustainability.
Sustainable design is crucial for reducing environmental impact and promoting green buildings that actively enhance occupant wellbeing. Green building components, such as solar panels and sustainable materials, contribute to energy efficiency while creating environments that support human health and productivity.
Understanding the importance of sustainable development and environmentally friendly practices is key to successful green building design across hotels, offices, universities, and residential developments. LEED certification is a widely recognized benchmark for measuring the sustainability of green buildings.
The use of renewable energy and energy-efficient systems can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while creating spaces that guests, employees, students, and residents actively want to spend time in. Sustainable design strategies can also help organizations save money over the lifecycle of a building through reduced operational costs.
This comprehensive guide explores how sustainable design principles transform built environments across key sectors, delivering measurable outcomes that extend far beyond regulatory compliance.
Green Building Components for Enhanced Wellbeing
Essential Systems and Materials
Green building components include energy-efficient systems, sustainable materials, and renewable energy sources like solar panels that work together to create healthier indoor environments. Green buildings prioritize indoor air quality, natural lighting, and natural ventilation to enhance occupant health—critical factors for hotel guest satisfaction, employee productivity, student academic performance, and residential quality of life.
Sustainable building materials, such as low-maintenance and cost-effective options with low VOC emissions, can reduce the environmental footprint of buildings while supporting optimal indoor air quality. These materials include:
Recycled and reclaimed materials that minimize waste while adding unique character
Low-VOC paints and finishes that maintain healthy indoor air quality
Sustainably harvested wood products that connect occupants with nature
High-performance insulation that optimizes thermal comfort year-round
Advanced Building Systems
Efficient heating and cooling systems, like optimized HVAC systems with smart controls, can be designed to minimize energy consumption while maintaining optimal comfort conditions. Water conservation methods, including rainwater harvesting and water-efficient appliances, focus on the efficient use of water resources in building operations.
Conserving water is a key strategy for sustainable building performance, significantly reducing water consumption—particularly valuable for hotels and residential buildings where operational costs directly impact profitability.
Green Building Design Strategies by Sector
Hotels: Sustainable Luxury that Drives Guest Loyalty
Green building design focuses on creating sustainable buildings that minimize environmental impact while maximizing guest experience. Modern travelers increasingly prioritize sustainability, with 73% willing to pay premium rates for environmentally responsible accommodations.
Hotel-Specific Design Features:
Energy-efficient windows and lighting systems that create warm, welcoming atmospheres
Green roof systems and natural ventilation that improve indoor air quality in guest rooms and common areas
Biophilic design elements like living walls and natural materials that enhance guest wellbeing
Smart building systems that optimize energy use without compromising comfort
Offices: Boosting Productivity Through Environmental Design
Corporate environments benefit significantly from sustainable development principles, including smart growth and waste reduction strategies. Research demonstrates that employees in green-certified offices show 15% higher productivity levels and 25% improvement in cognitive function scores.
Office Design Priorities:
Natural lighting strategies that reduce eye strain and support circadian rhythms
Advanced air filtration systems that maintain optimal cognitive performance
Flexible spaces that adapt to changing work patterns while minimizing resource consumption
Biophilic elements that reduce stress and enhance creativity
sustainable micro-gym by Biofilico for Karolinska University, Stockholm, Sweden
Universities: Creating Learning Environments for Academic Success
Educational institutions see measurable improvements in student outcomes through sustainable design. Studies show 25% improvement in academic performance in buildings with optimized lighting, air quality, and acoustic conditions.
University Design Elements:
Daylight optimization that supports student alertness and focus
Acoustic design that enhances learning while reducing energy consumption
Flexible learning spaces that accommodate diverse teaching methods
Campus-wide sustainability systems that serve as living laboratories
Residential Buildings: Healthy Homes for Long-term Wellbeing
Residential sustainable design focuses on creating healthy living environments that reduce environmental impact while enhancing quality of life for residents and families.
Residential Priorities:
Indoor air quality optimization through natural ventilation and material selection
Energy-efficient appliances and systems that reduce utility costs
Water conservation features that support sustainable living
Connection to nature through biophilic design elements
Building Project Planning for Sustainable Success
Strategic Planning Considerations
Building project planning involves considering sustainable development principles and green building components from the earliest design phases. Energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, such as wind turbines and solar cells, can be integrated into building design to maximize both environmental and financial returns.
Planning Priorities:
Water efficiency and waste management strategies including conservation and recycling systems
Occupant health and well-being enhancement through sustainable design features
Future-proofing through adaptable systems and materials
Certification pathway planning for LEED, BREEAM, or other green building standards
Retrofitting Existing Buildings
Existing buildings can be retrofitted with sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems to reduce their environmental footprint while improving occupant experience. This approach is particularly valuable for hotels upgrading to meet modern guest expectations, offices enhancing employee attraction and retention, and universities improving student outcomes.
Energy Efficiency: The Foundation of Sustainable Performance
Renewable Energy Integration
Energy efficiency is a critical component of green building design and sustainable development that delivers immediate operational benefits. Renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines, can reduce electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions while providing long-term cost stability.
System Optimization Strategies:
Energy-efficient heating and cooling systems optimized for minimal energy use
Smart building controls that adapt to occupancy patterns and weather conditions
High-performance building envelope design that reduces heating and cooling loads
Integrated renewable energy systems sized for optimal return on investment
Performance Monitoring and Optimization
Smart growth and sustainable development principles guide energy efficiency efforts through continuous monitoring and optimization. Advanced building management systems provide real-time data on energy consumption, enabling proactive adjustments that maintain comfort while minimizing waste.
Air Quality Considerations for Occupant Health
Indoor Air Quality Optimization
Indoor air quality is a crucial aspect of green building design that directly impacts occupant health, productivity, and satisfaction. Natural ventilation and air quality monitoring systems can enhance occupant health and well-being while reducing the energy consumption typically associated with mechanical ventilation systems.
Air Quality Strategies:
Low-VOC materials including paints, adhesives, and furnishings that reduce indoor air pollution
Natural ventilation systems that provide fresh air while minimizing energy consumption
Advanced filtration systems that remove particulates and allergens
Plant-based air purification through strategic biophilic design integration (this does however require a serious number of plants per occupant to have any genuine impact!)
Ventilation and Lighting Integration
Green building design incorporates natural lighting and ventilation strategies to minimize the need for artificial lighting and mechanical ventilation while creating environments that support human circadian rhythms and psychological wellbeing.
Green Construction Methods for Sustainable Implementation
Sustainable Construction Practices
Green construction methods prioritize sustainable development and minimize environmental impact throughout the building process. Sustainable building materials, such as recycled materials and sustainable wood products, can reduce waste and support sustainable construction while often providing superior performance characteristics.
Construction Best Practices:
Waste reduction strategies that divert construction waste from landfills
Local material sourcing that reduces transportation emissions while supporting regional economies
Construction site management that minimizes environmental disruption
Worker health and safety protocols that align with overall wellness objectives
Quality Control and Verification
Energy-efficient systems and renewable energy sources require careful installation and commissioning to achieve designed performance levels. Water conservation and waste management strategies implemented during construction establish operational patterns that continue throughout the building's lifecycle.
Benefits of Sustainable Buildings: ROI and Beyond
Quantifiable Business Benefits
Sustainable buildings offer numerous benefits, including reduced environmental impact and improved occupant health that translate directly to business performance. Green building design can reduce energy consumption, water consumption, and waste generation while enhancing revenue through improved occupant satisfaction and attraction.
Estimates of Measurable Outcomes:
Operational Cost Reduction: 25-30% decrease in utility costs through system efficiency
Revenue Enhancement: Higher occupancy rates, room rates, and lease premiums
Productivity Gains: 15% improvement in employee performance metrics
Health Cost Reduction: 40% decrease in sick building syndrome symptoms
Asset Value Increase: 7-15% premium in property valuations
Long-term Strategic Advantages
Green buildings enhance occupant well-being and productivity while reducing operating costs, creating sustainable competitive advantages. These buildings contribute to smart growth and sustainable development, supporting organizational sustainability goals while attracting environmentally conscious customers, employees, and students.
FAQ: Sustainable Design Implementation
How does sustainable design impact hotel guest satisfaction?
Sustainable design enhances hotel guest satisfaction through improved indoor air quality, natural lighting, and connection to nature. Studies show guests rate sustainably designed hotels 20% higher on comfort and overall experience while expressing 73% willingness to pay premium rates for environmentally responsible accommodations.
What ROI can offices expect from sustainable design investments?
Office buildings with sustainable design typically see 15% productivity improvements, 25% reduction in employee absenteeism, and 30% decrease in operational costs. The combination of reduced expenses and enhanced performance often delivers full ROI within 3-5 years.
How does sustainable design support student academic performance?
Universities implementing sustainable design report 25% improvement in student test scores, enhanced focus and concentration, and reduced stress levels. Optimal lighting, air quality, and acoustic conditions create learning environments that support cognitive function and academic success.
Can existing residential buildings benefit from sustainable design retrofits?
Yes, residential retrofits incorporating sustainable design principles typically achieve 40% energy cost reductions, improved indoor air quality, and enhanced property values. Strategic upgrades focusing on insulation, efficient systems, and natural elements provide both immediate comfort improvements and long-term value.
What certifications validate sustainable design success?
LEED, BREEAM, WELL Building Standard, and Living Building Challenge certifications provide third-party validation of sustainable design performance. These certifications often correlate with higher property values, lower operational costs, and enhanced occupant satisfaction across all building types.
Transform Your Built Environment with Expert Sustainable Design
Sustainable design represents the future of hospitality, corporate, educational, and residential development—delivering measurable benefits in environmental performance, occupant health, and business outcomes. As regulations tighten and market expectations evolve, the question isn't whether to adopt sustainable design principles, but how quickly you can implement them to gain competitive advantage.
ABOUT US
At Biofilico, we specialize in integrating sustainable design with biophilic and wellness-focused strategies that create environments where people thrive. Our expertise spans hotels seeking to enhance guest experience, offices focused on employee productivity, universities committed to student success, and residential developments prioritizing resident wellbeing.
Based in Barcelona and London, our team brings international perspectives and cutting-edge research to every project, ensuring your investment in sustainable design delivers both immediate impact and long-term value.
Ready to discover how sustainable design can transform your next project? Contact Biofilico today to explore customized solutions that align environmental stewardship with business success.
What sustainable design challenge is your organization facing, and how can we help you turn it into a competitive advantage?