In Seclusion spa wins Bronze at A' Architecture Awards

Zehua Zhang’s riverside spa In Seclusion in Portugal has won a Bronze A' Design Award in architecture, recognition that highlights its low-impact approach and integration with the Vez River setting. The award spotlights growing demand for wellness spaces that balance modern comfort, ecological sensitivity and historic preservation.

Why it matters: - The Bronze A' Design Award puts Zehua Zhang’s spa among projects recognized for environmental sensitivity, functional design and careful integration with place. - The award signals continued interest in wellness architecture that can deliver modern amenities without disrupting fragile landscapes or historic sites. - The project may serve as a reference point for architects and developers working on adaptive reuse, low-impact construction and nature-centered hospitality spaces.

What happened: - The A' Design Award announced that In Seclusion, a riverside spa designed by Zehua Zhang, won Bronze in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design category. - The spa is located along the Vez River in Portugal. - The award was presented through the A' Design Award’s blind peer-review process and expert jury evaluation. - The recognition was announced in Como, Italy, on June 26, 2026.

The details: - In Seclusion uses fluid architectural volumes to limit visual impact and fit into the existing terrain. - Expansive low-iron glazing opens long views between interior spaces and the surrounding landscape. - Timber finishes and beige stone flooring add warmth and tactile contrast throughout the spa. - The program includes a sauna, jacuzzi and Turkish bath arranged as a sequence of bathing spaces. - The old watermill on the site influenced the design and helped preserve the project’s historic character. - The project aims to create a multi-sensory retreat shaped by daylight, sound and water. - More information is available on the A' Design Award project page.

Between the lines: - The award reflects a broader design trend toward architecture that treats landscape, history and wellbeing as connected priorities. - The project’s material choices and transparent envelope suggest a deliberate effort to blur the boundary between indoors and outdoors. - The recognition also reinforces the market value of designs that can pair visual restraint with a strong guest experience.

What's next: - The Bronze win may help position Zehua Zhang’s approach for future wellness, hospitality and adaptive reuse projects. - The recognition could also encourage more design teams to pursue low-impact architecture that responds to natural and cultural context. - A' Design Award continues to invite global entries across architecture and related design fields.

The bottom line: - In Seclusion is being recognized not just as a spa, but as a model for architecture that is quiet, contextual and environmentally aware.