Geological Survey, San Antonio, Texas (20,950 square feet)

Jack Ovadia, whose eponymous design firm is based in New York, created a one-person onsen, the Japanese deep-soak-style tub, for a Phoenix client. The cocoon-like space has a contemplative wall of terrazzo pebbles and a pretty, petal-bedecked chandelier above.But he also is doing wellness rooms that can multi-serve with a sauna and then an invigorating

tub. In his own home, he has an area to practice yoga and Pilates.“Having a private space is essential,” Ovadia says. “A wellness room should be a space where the outside world dissolves; no background noise, no movement beyond your own. This is where you go to let go; to drop into something quieter, something deeper.”Your ideal wellness room might be a little more energetic than the serene, spa-like versions.

“We’re designing more music rooms,” Bueno says, “which isn’t surprising since music is so healing. “He notes how much fun it is to work with clients who have a passion — “art, yoga, music or entertaining” — and design spaces to help bring that passion home.

“Recent clients had an extensive vinyl collection,” he says. “Others have wanted a room to enjoy music during large family gatherings.”

Make sure the size of the space suits your activity and you use materials to set the tone.Candidate for: An administrative judge for two of Mexico City’s boroughs.

Supreme Court lawyer Mauricio Tapia Maltos campaigns ahead of the upcoming judicial elections, in the Zocalo, Mexico City’s main public square, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Tapia Maltos is running for an administrative judge position. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)Supreme Court lawyer Mauricio Tapia Maltos campaigns ahead of the upcoming judicial elections, in the Zocalo, Mexico City’s main public square, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Tapia Maltos is running for an administrative judge position. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Every afternoon, Monday to Thursday, Tapia Maltos finishes work at Mexico’s Supreme Court where he has worked for 11 years and walks next door to Mexico City’s sprawling central square. There, he sets up a small stand from which he hangs three papers on which he has handwritten his name, the position he seeks, his social platform handle and his ID number for the ballot.Even though he frequently goes unnoticed by the multitude of street vendors, tourists and workers crossing the square each day, Tapia Maltos dressed in white shirt, tie and dark slacks, occasionally draws the attention of those curious enough to stop and read his papers. Some then ask how they can vote.