The post-revolutionary days, when a hot tub was seen as a symbol of extravagance, are long gone. Today’s customers are keen not only to acquire a product that is perfectly functional and well-designed, but also to integrate it into their home in such a way as to create a graceful and harmonious whole where they can feel at ease.
This certainly applies to Mr Martin and his family home on the outskirts of a town surrounded by mountains in northern Bohemia.
“We built it in several stages and only finished the new house completely this year. Practically all that remained of the old building were the external walls; absolutely everything else was changed. But there was no other way, because we had a clear vision of what our home should look like,” says Martin.
Moreover, from the outset, the owner wanted the building to be inspired by nature. Wood is therefore the dominant material in the new house, though there is also natural stone and large glazed areas, which ensure plenty of light. The plans also included creating a space for relaxation.
“I have a demanding job that requires a great deal of concentration, and I’m also actively involved in sport – in fact, I can go cross-country skiing almost right behind my house. So rest is an important part of my life,” says the owner.
“USSPA is a bit like the Mercedes of hot tubs, and that’s certainly proved to be the case for us. I’ve come across plenty of hot tubs at various wellness centres that bubble nicely but don’t really work for massages. That’s not the case with ours,” says Martin, full of praise.
He built the circular hot tub into the wooden terrace, which is accessed directly from the house and also serves as a transitional zone between the house and the garden. And not just any garden. Martin is, amongst other things, interested in mountaineering; moreover, he likes order and harmony in all things, which is why he decided to create a Japanese garden around the house.
“I’ve been involved in Asian sports, in which not only physical agility but also spiritual harmony plays an important role. What’s more, I work with people, communicating and explaining things, so in my private life I like peace and quiet and my own well-organised space,” says Martin. The garden therefore features typical elements of architecture inspired by Zen principles. Here we find footbridges, flat stones, raked gravel and moss. There are also majestic solitary granite boulders, which are typical of the mountains in northern Bohemia.
Every Zen garden, however, is dominated by a fluid element, namely water. This also plays a central role in Martin’s garden, which is dominated by a natural pond designed as a biotope. It is self-cleaning, and the water remains fresh and clear all year round without the use of chemicals. One corner of the pond is planted with aquatic plants, whilst on the side opposite the house, the owner has created a shallow paddling pool and a small waterfall, over which the water flowing in from a small stream cascades. The other parts of the biotope are deep enough for swimming or for cooling off after a sauna in winter. The pond’s aesthetic appeal thus perfectly complements its practical use.
“We use the hot tub all year round; even the children have grown to love it, and we can sit in it with a drink in our hands. The Biotop, on the other hand, is a more private space,” he explains.
This year, for the first time in many years following extensive renovation work, Martin and his family are enjoying their fully completed house and garden. They can’t praise the combination of a Finnish sauna, a hot tub and swimming in their own pond highly enough. What’s more, the location suits them perfectly.
“It’s not far from the town, yet we have an oasis of peace here. Usually, people talk about all the things they’d change about their home, but we don’t feel the need to. It suits us perfectly,” says Martin, looking out at his house, built from natural materials, and the garden, which exudes harmony.