Arc Canary Wharf by Cake Architecture redefines urban wellness, merging contrast therapy with a nightclub-inspired social space to create an immersive, communal sanctuary in London’s financial district.
Located in the heart of London’s financial district, the facility challenges the conventions of urban wellness by embracing a spatial language that oscillates between austerity and indulgence. With a sauna that accommodates 65 guests—the largest of its kind in the UK—and an amphitheatre-style lounge reminiscent of a dancefloor, Arc positions itself as an alternative to traditional nightlife, cultivating a space where restoration and revelry coexist.
At the core of Arc’s design is an exploration of opposites—hot versus cold, open versus enclosed, natural versus manmade. Drawing from the ritualistic architecture of Roman baths and the conceptual radicalism of Archizoom and Andrea Branzi, Cake Architecture has crafted an environment where materiality and light play a defining role. Deep-blue dreadnought quarry tiles and terracotta surfaces establish a visual continuity, while timber accents introduce warmth and tactility. The sculptural cedar table by Simon Gaiger in the lounge acts as both a functional centrepiece and a metaphorical hearth, reinforcing the communal ethos of the project.
Beyond aesthetics, Arc’s design serves a psychological function, facilitating what Cake Architecture describes as "communal transcendence." The layout carefully choreographs movement, guiding guests through spaces that alternately stimulate and soothe. Private changing booths replace traditional gendered layouts, fostering inclusivity. Subtle lighting interventions—suspended mirrors with LED backlighting, concealed fixtures that graze textured wood surfaces—enhance the immersive experience. It is a space that does not merely house wellness practices but actively participates in their execution, dissolving the boundary between architecture and therapy.
