Studio Alberto Apostoli will design the spa of the new Grado thermae in Italy, a thermal centre in an area with a long history of marine baths dating back to the early 19th century.

The masterplan of the redevelopment is being overseen by architecture firm Archest, and it is hoped that the new thermal centre will boost tourism in the area. The first baths were built in Grado in 1932, and the current spa dates from 1974.

Alberto Apostoli will design the wellness centre at the thermae, which will include a 260sq m (2800sq ft) fitness area and a 320sq m (3500sq ft) spa with areas dedicated to makeup, hair and nails, along with eight massage cabins, one of which is equipped with a Turkish bath. Two side-by-side cabins can be transformed into a couple’s cabin, and in the summer months, an outdoor terrace will also be available for treatments.

The outdoor terrace will also include a 650sq m (7000sq ft) glass-cased wellness area – divided into four main elements: water, air, fire and earth – which can accommodate 60 people.

The 'water' area has a focus on the sea and is where all wet treatments will occur. It will include a room dedicated to halotherapy and iodine inhalation, a hammam, tepidarium, calidarium and emotional showers.

The ‘air’ area will be an open space used for relaxation and equipped with chaise longues and sinuous partitions and ceiling veils, and will also house a bistro.

A ‘fire’ area will feature three different types of saunas – salt sauna, herbal sauna and Finnish sauna – which will then lead guests to a central passage and onward to an outdoor terrace with a large glazed sauna surrounded by cold pools at different temperatures, as well as an Ashiyu – an invigorating Japanese treatment for the limbs.

A long Kneipp path and large cold pool complete the outdoor area.