Reproductions of the Bedford coverlet grace each bed at the resort. A ceramic vessel in each entry holds walking sticks.

Bedford Springs, one of the oldest mineral spring water resorts in the U.S., grew from a backwoods collection of bathhouses beginning around 1796 to a destination resort located in rural western Pennsylvania.

SOMEWHERE IN TIME Guest baths in the Stone Inn feature oak cabinets, Pennsylvania bluestone counters and ceramic vessel sinks that reflect the 1806 building's origins.

It had been closed a decade when design firm 3north began a three-year renovation project.

"Ironically, the thing that first caused the resort to come into existence also represented our biggest challenge: In short, water," says David W. Rau, architect with 3north.

Springs to life An eighth springhead, found during renovation, is the namesake of Springs Eternal Spa. The spring water is used in spa treatments and fills the 1905 pool.

Water and snow were coming through the roof and broken windows. The lobby floor was washed away in a flood. During construction, almost every hole that was dug found gushes of groundwater. Streaks of mold and mildew covered walls, Rau says.

A fifth lodge added two floors of guestrooms.

"Out of all this, however, came great things: The building was restored and has become an exemplar of historic preservation," he says. "Many of the techniques we used to banish mold and poor air quality engendered green design and sustainable practices. And, perhaps most amazingly, one of those holes we dug uncovered an eighth springhead ... which upon analysis, was identified as the purest of the resort's many springs."

Anderson House is one of four historic lodging "houses."

The design team sought to reinterpret the tradition of the "great American resort."

ECLECTIC ARCHITECTURE Bedford Springs presents a range of 19th and 20th century architectural styles. A combination of the resort's furniture, acquired antiques, reproductions and custom pieces provide authentic, updated interiors. Pictured: The three-level Grand Stair in the Colonnade Building.

"Bedford Springs has an amazing history and we wanted to tell that story through the architecture, the interiors, even the artwork and colors," Rau says.

The Colonnade Building exterior.

Designers used resort history to uncover what made the resort compelling, what Rau calls its IQ (intangible qualities).

The Crystal Room.

He calls the scale and scope of the project a dream assignment.

The Great Hall of the Colonnade Building.

"It was one of those instances where you felt your experience and talents perfectly matched an enormous and demanding challenge—at once daunting yet exhilarating," Rau says.

—Heather Gunter

PROJECT SPECS

Project: Bedford Springs
Project cost: $120 million
Timeline: March 2004 to July 2007
Design and architecture: 3north
Owner: Bedford Resort Partners
Design Team:
David W. Rau, architect
Cary Sweat, architect
Deborah Fulton Rau, architectural historian
Brandeis Short, interior designer
Pamela Horst, interior designer
Christopher Hook, interior designer
Cary McCutcheon, landscape architect
Kyungwon Yoon, graphic designer
Elizabeth King, graphic designer

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