Vietnamese Stories in Ironwood Retold in the Texas Hill Country
Folklore Spa had a singular ambition: to craft a wellness environment that felt less like a commercial building and more like a lived-in sanctuary. The owner’s love for travel and the collection of folk art along the off-beaten path lent to the perspective of wanting to share their passion for culture. The owner found vintage structures in Vietnam that were slated for destruction – and then dismantle, transport and rebuild them in Dripping Springs, Texas to create a one-of-a-kind spa. These 100-year-old ironwood buildings have been thoughtfully repurposed and given a new life.
The positioning of the facility on an overlook provides unobstructed views of the wild Texas Hill Country landscape. It is designed as a collection of buildings to create a village feel, which promotes separation between the Reception, Library, Meditation Building, Locker Rooms, and Treatment Rooms. This allows guests to transition from the lively gathering areas to quiet, tranquil spaces of respite.
The interior is designed to embrace color, patterns, folk art, antiques and conversation among guests – like a family home where every room has a personality of its own, with each space offering a unique experience. Hand carved beams on the Vietnamese structures throughout the facility display the folk stories of generation-old fables.
The Locker Rooms have wallpapered ceilings and walls, elaborately detailed casework, elegant doors, and eclectic light fixtures that fill the space with a warm glow. A combination of colors, patterns, and other finishes creates a bold maximalist space. The walls, furnishings, and ceilings of a cozy lounge blend seamlessly with a consistent fabric to create an en suite design.
The Co-Ed Sauna’s walls are lined with native limestone. Custom ergonomic wooden seating follows the walls creating ample seating for large groups. A large window frames the rolling hill country.
Each treatment room has its own distinctive finishes, from the eclectic wallpaper, to the contrasting paint, to the hand-crafted Mexican tile.
The Folklore Spa creates an environment of storytelling and travel into the realm of restorative design.
