Global hospitality design and architecture firm OBMI, designed Sundara Spa + Studio as a serene overwater wellness hub that pairs high luxury with climate-conscious design…
A long-time design partner to the property, OBMI has played a key role in shaping Oil Nut Bay’s architectural identity from bespoke villas and amenity spaces to the resort’s guiding principles, which emphasise low-density development, natural materiality, and harmony with the landscape. Sundara Spa + Studio marks the latest chapter in the development of Oil Nut Bay as a climate-resilient sanctuary where nature, wellbeing, and high-specification design converge.
Image credit: Oil Nut Bay / OBMI
From the early stages of its masterplan for the resort, OBMI integrated a wellness centre that immerses guests in the tranquillity and beauty of the surrounding Caribbean environment into the plans. After a period of intensive conceptual development and site evaluations, the finalised Sundara Spa + Studio delivers on that original promise with a design that is as technically sophisticated as it is materially appropriate for its context.
Sited in a secluded corner of the bay, Sundara Spa + Studio’s location offers both privacy and proximity to the resort’s other amenities. It also offers visitors a ‘sail in, sail out’ function, allowing boats direct access to the entrance, with the omission of railings and the provision of docking facilities. OBMI carefully selected the spa’s position to balance its isolation with its resilience to the natural surroundings. The team ensured optimal structural performance, safe wave setbacks, and minimal disruption to the surrounding reef system. The location allows for direct water access while preserving uninterrupted views, all while respecting the ecological sensitivities of the bay. This also preserves the spa’s uninterrupted sightlines into the water.
Image credit: Oil Nut Bay / OBMI
OBMI selected external materials that seamlessly integrate the spa into its natural setting. A thatched roof and other regionally inspired elements nod to the island’s vernacular, while modern, durable materials such as travertine cladding were employed where necessary for long-term sustainability. The interior was delivered in collaboration with CID Design Group, who employed a palette of soft neutrals and natural textures, allowing the space to serve as a foil to the marine surroundings and letting the magnificent colours of the seascapes and sunsets set the scene. Each firm adhered to the sensitive use of natural materials and an architectural language that speaks to the broader aesthetic of Oil Nut Bay.
Image credit: Oil Nut Bay / OBMI
The result is a spa built directly over the water, evoking a pier-like structure, leveraging the panoramic views and moments of immersion with the surrounding natural world. Thoughtfully placed windows in both the walls and the floors offer guests the opportunity to view the marine life below, which includes turtles, rays and reef sharks. The spa’s structure has a deliberately minimal appearance, designed to ‘disappear’ into the surroundings and direct the guests’ gazes outward. This is a particularly prevalent quality in the treatment rooms, which OBMI sited in the corners of the plan to leverage the potential views during massages.
Image credit: Oil Nut Bay / OBMI
Climate resilience was central to every design decision, from the structure of the building to its envelope, ensuring the spa could withstand the evolving climate realities of the Caribbean. Building over water in a region prone to hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis presented a series of engineering challenges. OBMI incorporated structural elements such as deep foundations and pressure-release mechanisms, including engineered window glass designed to shatter safely in the event of extreme weather events and to preserve the structural integrity of the building.
Carlos Agelet de Saracibar, Architect at OBMI, commented, “The Sundara Spa + Studio integrates into nature and respectfully anticipates its whims. It remains air tight against the winds, conserves energy, and is protected against sea surges. It is a gem of the Oil Nut Bay resort, mixing the very best of precision engineering, ambitious design credentials, and genuine visitor experience.”
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Main image credit: Oil Nut Bay / OBMI
