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DFL: 35 Years of Spa & Wellness Engineering

  • Writer: Design for Leisure
    Design for Leisure
  • Apr 13
  • 1 min read

Updated: Apr 14


Celebrating 35 years of shaping the hydrothermal wellness industry


Design for Leisure officially formed in 1991, building on founder Don Genders’ years fitting out leisure centres and corporate gyms, including sauna and steam installations for well-known UK brands.
35 years ago, Design for Leisure began with sauna and steam installations in leisure centers. What started as a focused technical discipline has evolved alongside the industry itself.


DFL’s path shifted when it was invited to work with wellness pioneer Canyon Ranch – opening the door to new hospitality and purpose-built wellness destinations.
Today, hydrothermal wellness has become central to how leading hospitality brands design spa, bathing, and recovery experiences. DFL has been fortunate to help bring many of these environments to life — from destination spas to emerging social bathhouse concepts.


Today, DFL partners with the world’s leading hospitality brands to create hydrothermal circuits, bathhouses, recovery spaces, and wellness destinations across the globe.
Over the past three and a half decades, wellness has evolved from a supporting amenity into a defining element of hospitality — and increasingly, of residential communities and performance environments.


DFL continues to build on its hospitality leadership, while expanding into new sectors, including private communities, elite athletic performance environments and emerging bathhouse models — helping shape how people connect, live, and recover through contrast therapy.
As the global wellness industry continues to grow, we’re excited to help shape what comes next.


Thank you to the clients, valued collaborators and dedicated team members who have been part of this journey.


Here’s to the next chapter!



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