This Floating Sauna in Sweden Is Relaxation Goals
From infrared to microwave, saunas are like so hot right now. But when it comes to those good ol’ cozy, healthful feelings, nothing does it quite like the original firewood-stoked version — especially when that sauna happens to have scenic vistas and is literally floating on a lake in middle of hygge land itself.
The intersection of perspiration and Pinspiration (and just in time for the that sauna emoji to finally hit the iPhone), this floating sauna at a bed and breakfast in Sweden will have you bookmarking or packing your bags for a Scandi adventure — yes, even heading into winter.
Built in just two weeks by Milan-based Small Architecture Workshop, the ecologically-conscious sauna sits on top of an existing pier — a move meant to mitigate its impact on the lake’s shoreline and the surrounding forests of Åmot, about three hours outside of Stockholm.
Featuring sustainability throughout, as a testament to the connectivity to the lake and surrounding wilderness, the sauna blends clean modern lines and ancient techniques — not to mention can accommodate eight people at a time.
The exterior is clad in dark, moody, trendy Yakisugi charred timber, which fans of modern, luxury tiny homes will recognize by its other name, Shou Sugi Ban: a process through which the wooden cladding is burnt to oxidate it and make it resistant to weather and parasites without using harmful chemicals.
“From the beginning our choice was to have a dark outside surface of the building to merge as much as possible with the dark peaty water of the lake,” the architects recently told Dezeen.
The interior is clad in light, natural alder wood — a traditional material for Scandinavian saunas — which together with a full-wall picture window overlooking the lake work to make the entire room feel more spacious.
The owners of the bed and breakfast, a Belgian couple, hope that the sauna will attract more guests to the property — located in an area popular for skiing and other outdoor activities — and is just one of a series of new additions they have planned. We’re not 100 percent sure, but from the looks of this listing (and peek at one lakefront sauna photo) the B&B appears to be Stilleben Cottages, charmingly minimal and rustic cabins that travelers can book directly through Booking.com.
Rather stick closer to home with your hygge? According to Bloomberg, the infrared sauna market alone is a $75-million market “and growing rapidly,” thanks to rave wellness benefit reviews by celebrities ranging from Gwyneth Paltrow to Lady Gaga (in addition to the thousands of physicians and physical therapists who’ve been recommending them for treatment for decades). Home installation and models of saunas can range from a few hundred to many thousands of dollars — HGTV has a handy guide to choosing the right one for you.
h/t Inhabitat