Hana Parnell: Tranquility materialised
A custom-designed feature banquette, created in collaboration with Tim Webber, anchors the waiting area — offering comfort while subtly defining and enhancing the space.
The use of enduring materials is paired with a carefully considered floor plan, offering both privacy and a sense of discovery as the space unfolds.
Custom designed and build ice baths put real emphasis on detailing ensuring every junction was considered.
This rich contrast of the tiles to the warm cedar saunas creates a serene haven — carefully designed as a retreat from the outside world, inviting relaxation and calm.
Bespoke pivot doors and hardware creates a seamless journey throughout and allows the space to flow.
The product display shelf blends into the Hand-rendered plaster.
Imported dark green mosaic tiles bring mood and theatre, set against natural bluestone floors and paired with brass fixtures and fittings.
The saunas connect to the showers, a convenience for guests, preventing unnecessary travel through public areas.
Every detail is considered, balancing form and function to enhance the space with elegance and practicality.
Bespoke joinery throughout is thoughtfully designed to ensure a seamless aesthetic, offering ample storage and discreet utility.
The use of natural and featured lighting throughout allows the materials to bring life to the space.
The rich cedar in the traditional sauna.
Hand-rendered plaster — create a minimalist yet warm aesthetic. Heritage timber columns and an exposed concrete floor anchor the space with texture and history, blending contemporary design with timeless character.
Concealed services and lighting.
Natural light and thoughtfully placed feature lighting create a dynamic play of light and shadow.
A honed travertine counter sets the tone with its natural, timeless beauty.
Set within Parnell’s historic Textile Building, the new Hana Wellness Space by Pennant & Triumph transforms a century-old structure into a sanctuary of restoration and relaxation.
Having previously worked on the design of Hana in Grey Lynn, the Tennant & Triumph team led by Justin Roderique, set out to renovate a historic, industrial Parnell building into an elevated and serene wellness space.
The adaptive reuse of the 1900s building presented both unique possibility and complexity. The design needed to preserve the existing fabric while introducing the infrastructure required for modern wellness therapies — including traditional and infrared saunas, ice baths and massage rooms. Plumbing, drainage and mechanical systems were carefully planned and concealed, ensuring the integrity of the structure remained intact.
The original concrete floors and exposed timber columns celebrate the interior’s history, while a refined material palette introduces a sense of comfort. Hand-rendered plaster, honed travertine limestone and other natural stone provide texture and tactility, balancing the raw qualities of the existing building with soft, contemporary finishes. The result is a harmonious pairing of heritage and modernity.
Visitors enter a softly lit reception space, greeted by natural materials and the scent of cedar. The first greeting with reception is a step away from the waiting room, ensuring privacy is promised throughout the spa journey. A central spine guides movement through the building, with sauna rooms, red light therapy pods and massage suites arranged along either side. This planning strategy simultaniusly allows smoother access to services and maintains privacy, all while allowing the space to unfold with a quiet sense of discovery.
Lighting plays a defining role in shaping the experience. Concealed fittings, gentle shadowing and the inclusion of natural and artificial light create a moody, meditative atmosphere. Soft light highlights the texture of the curved plastered walls, which lend the interior an organic quality. Every junction and detail has been resolved with care to maintain visual and acoustic peace — essential in a space designed for rest.
The colour palette reflects a restrained minimalism. Hand-rendered plaster and travertine offer a tactile foundation, while subtle brass accents and powder-coated metal add refinement. Custom-built saunas and ice baths demonstrate precision craftsmanship, with every junction and material transition carefully considered. Bespoke cabinetry conceals storage and services, ensuring the overall aesthetic remains seamless.
Collaborative detailing extends throughout the project. A custom banquette designed with Tim Webber anchors the waiting area. The design of the reception and retail spaces continues the integrations, ensuring operational efficiency for staff without compromising the visual calm of the environment.
Refinements drawn from the earlier Grey Lynn location informed the evolution of this new space. Among them is the introduction of a ‘dry bar’ — a quiet area where guests can pause and prepare before returning to the outside world. Such ammenities reflect the designers’ careful considerations, not only in the architecture and materiality but also the emotional journey of each visitor.
Hana Parnell is an exploration of wellness through architecture — a space that encourages restoration and balance through careful control of light, texture and sound. Within the concrete floors and timber posts of its heritage shell, Pennant & Triumph have created a contemporary retreat that feels timeless, serene and deeply grounded. The result is a place where past and present coexist in quiet harmony, and where design itself becomes an act of care.
Hana Parnell was the Healthcare and Wellness winner in the 2025 Interior Awards.
See the live presentation from Justin Roderique and Bethan James here.
2025 Interior Award citation:
“A masterclass in calm, considered design, Hana Parnell quietly conceals all the essential functional services of a wellness space, wrapping guests in a sense of ease from the moment they enter. Heritage elements are thoughtfully integrated within a refined interior that prioritises the customer experience at every turn, while gentle curves, indirect lighting, natural materials and acoustic privacy create an immersive environment, which feels both luxurious and restorative. From the exposed timber columns to the discreet retail and welcome areas, every detail has been considered to support a cohesive and deeply relaxing journey for visitors. The result is a beautiful space that offers comfort, clarity and retreat.”
