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May 18, 2023 By Laura Botham
Perspective Future Female: Renew
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The Banya, a 1920’s bank-turned-bathhouse is rich in art deco design and original features
By Laura Botham May 18, 2023
Published in Perspective

Housed in an historical 1920’s bank that was previously home to an antiques store, gym, and MedSpa, The Banya is a boutique day spa and bathhouse in Mullumbimby, NSW Australia. Billed as an “immersive social, bathing, and dining experience,” The Banya was designed to both honor the history of the building, but also the history of the European bathhouse as a center for communal relaxation, socialization, and wellness.

Owner Brenden Lawless teamed up with Interior Designer and Senior Creative Director Mardi Borrack of Style Agenda to create a space that was fresh and modern but also honored the building’s history. Drawing on the building’s original1920’s style, the project moved forward with a strong lean into art deco style through furnishings, and finishing, with a pink and green color palette designed to blend with the coastal energy of the town.

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Retaining the internal and exterior 1920’s brickwork and masonry structure was paramount to the project, as well as the decorative molding—Borrack reinstated and restored the high coffered ceilings, lofty windows, and wainscoting of the original building alongside original features like original bank safes, and even bricks with embedded possum footprints.

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The green and white geometric pool tiles with brass accents are reminiscent of the type of floor you would expect to see in a bank of this era. Borrack’s cinematic eye blends brass, vinyl, cane chairs, and granite into a cohesive and relaxing vision, while throughout the space, the style and patterns of the tilework also reflect the era.

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As both a bathhouse and a dining destination, the furniture and finishes needed to function as wet and dry spaces for guests in their swimwear. She focused on fabrics and materials that would feel good to guests popping in and out of the wet areas, and created spaces that would enhance the social aspect of the concept.

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The Banya’s emphasis on integrating health, wellness, and hospitality coupled with the 1920’s inspired art deco interiors that honors the tradition of a bathhouse and the coastal environment provide a relaxing interior and exterior space whether you are enjoying the sun lounging area and heated mineral plunge pools, or the woodfired sauna, steam rooms, or a healthy bite and sip or prosecco.

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