Project Feature | Sol Elements
ELEMENTAL BATHHOUSE
SOL ELEMENTS
Tamborine Mountains, QLD
Sol Elements is an elemental sanctuary and wellness bathhouse based in the Tamborine Mountains. We recently had the chance to chat with Russell & Shae Raven, Co-Founders of Sol Elements, about their inspiration, style and intention behind Sol Elements.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what a typical week looks like for you?
As SOL has evolved, every week has looked a little different - we’ve had to stay agile with what’s needed. For Russ, it’s often signing off on finishes and working closely with the builder and trades. For Shae, it’s working on the interior design or refining the treatment menu in collaboration with Synthesis Organics, and working with our growing team. The vision is always front of mind, but how we bring it to life shifts daily. It’s a constant dance between creativity, logistics, and a whole lot of hands-on problem solving.
Was there a specific place, conversation, or experience that first set SOL Elements in motion?
It was when we first moved to Tamborine Mountain after a decade of living in cities. The calm and magic of the mountain - and its abundant nature - had an immediate effect on us. There was a sense of clarity and connection here that felt like the perfect foundation for a wellness space. After years of living and working overseas, we often reflected on the spa and bathing experiences that had moved us most - those deeply immersive, elemental places that stayed with you long after you left. SOL was born from a desire to bring those layers of inspiration into a new kind of offering. Not just a bathhouse, but a complete sensory journey shaped by the landscape, design, and intentional flow.
The design is deeply connected to Wabi Sabi and Japandi principles. How did those philosophies shape the way SOL looks and feels?
Wabi Sabi and Japandi gave us a grounding framework - to honour imperfection, simplicity, and the quiet beauty of the natural world. We wanted the space to feel timeless, as though it had always belonged to the land. Wabi Sabi in particular helped us lean into raw textures, curved forms, and the kind of understated elegance that feels calming. Every surface and transition was considered for how it would feel, not just how it would look - organic, earthy, and intentional.
"Texture was key. We wanted guests to be barefoot, to run their hands along surfaces, to feel grounded in every interaction with the space."
— SHAE RAVEN
From circular forms to natural textures, the design feels both sculptural and serene. Can you talk us through the architecture and how it supports the overall wellness experience?
The architecture is centred around a circular, sculptural flow - which has made it particularly complex to build (there isn’t a single right angle in the entire bathhouse!). But that form was essential. It invites movement, softness, and continuity - there’s a gentle rhythm that carries you through the space. Most importantly, it means you’re met with nature at every turn. Whether it’s the central Zen garden courtyard or the lily-dotted water that surrounds the building, the design helps people slow down and reconnect with their senses.
"Working with the Lighting Collective team was such a joy - they completely understood what we were trying to achieve. The way lighting shifts through the day and subtly highlights textures has helped bring SOL’s mood and soul to life."
—SHAE RAVEN
You incorporated the Japanese technique of Yakisugi—what drew you to this traditional Japanese craft of preserving wood, and what was it like working with Kenji Nishishita? (Yakisugi Craftsman from Japan)
Yakisugi is such a beautiful meeting point of form and function. The process of charring timber to preserve it felt aligned with the essence of SOL - transformation through the elements. Kenji Nishishita travelled from Japan to work with us for a few days, and during that time, he passed on his knowledge of the traditional technique to Russ. It was an experience that left a lasting impression.
This project has clearly been a labour of love. What has the process of creating SOL taught you - about yourself, design, or wellness?
It’s taught us to trust the process, to stay true to the vision, and to embrace slow creation. Wellness isn’t just something we offer - it’s something we have to embody daily. And like nature, we’ve learned that you can’t rush things if you want them to last.
Owners & Co-Founders: Russell & Shae Raven
Photographers: Timothy Birch, Smith Madden Agency
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