Sauna culture is clearly gathering pace in the UK at a great rate.

These exquisite boxes of wellness are popping up everywhere, from wind ravaged beaches to pokey industrial yards, and everywhere in between.

It is wonderful to see because the physical and mental benefits are proven to be immensely positive. I don’t believe this is just a moment, or a trend, instead I think we as a culture are welcoming an old friend back into our arms.

Contrast (Hot n’ Cold) bathing was practiced all over the world. Some cultures have maintained it, the Finnish Sauna, the Russian Banya, The Mexican Temezcal, there are even ancient Irish sweatlodges still intact, but in England it is believed that the advent of public bathhouses and social reforms, followed by the increase in private home washing facilities in the 19th century let the tradition fall from the everyday.

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Due to this reinvigoration of sauna in the UK, and not having the same dogma as some more established cultures, we have a rare moment to build and develop our own sauna culture, one that is different to the Finns, the Russians or the Estonians.

Part of this is the sauna experience and the rituals that we develop, but an equal part is the physical sauna design. The aesthetics of sauna.

I am excited to inject some high-quality materiality, some theatricality, and some good old playfulness in to the mix.  

The kind of things that are easily overlooked when margins are the most important considerations.

Carry on reading to see a glimpse of some of the ‘unnecessary features’ on my current sauna ‘The Temple of Sweat’ that make my heart sing.

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Beautiful structural detailing.

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Ergonomic and playful sculptural taps.

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Hand crafted tactile salvaged timber light fittings.

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High-end sauna specific LED lighting all the way from Helsinki, Finland.

I’d like to take this moment to thank Walter Långstedt at SAAS who kindly sponsored all the lighting on this sauna.

Established in 1978 in Helsinki, SAAS have been making design focused and ecologically conscious lighting for all types of installation including over 600 saunas a year, positioning them uniquely in the sauna lighting design sphere.

I was introduced to Walther via a serendipitous sequence of events at a place for creative retreats in Devon called Praktyka. If you get the chance go and stay there. Ania and Henry are running a beautiful space for increasing community and creativity.

On a very smokey dance floor at Praktyka, I met a splendid lighting designer called Stuart Alexander… and the rest is history.

I’m very grateful to Stuart for his knowledge and the input he offered me on this project.

Stuart has recently started a new company TLWS.

After a stop start year in 2025 the sauna is now on the home straight.

I cannot wait to get it over the line and show you the finished work in the coming months.

I’m offering viewings to potential buyers, so if you are interested, or know anyone who might be, please share the info, call me, or send me an email, and pop by for a cuppa.

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SPECIFICATION

CAPACITY:  9-12 people.

CHANGING ROOM with clothes storage + USB phone charging

In sauna  FRESH WATER TAP

Exterior COLD SHOWER

ELECTRICS : 240V Mains hook up or SOLAR READY

LÖYLY FRESH AIR STEAM SYSTEM : Designed in conversation with Alex Lembke Finnish Sauna Master.

STRUCTURAL FRAME : UK Douglas Fir throughout. Douglas Fir is durable UK grown softwood that has high durability and strength + a natural resistance to  fungal and insect attack.

INTERIOR CLADDING : Thermo treated English Ash (Dark Chocolate Brown)

BENCHES: Thermo treated Alder - Imported (Dark Chocolate Brown)

EXTERIOR CLADDING : SW UK Larch. (Will mature to silver grey)

LIGHTING : Sauna specific LED lighting throughout from SAAS Instruments, Finland.

ROOF : 360 vented roof design with Zinc grey, folded Aluminium roof.

LARGE CIRCULAR PICTURE WINDOW: Laminated UK Douglas Fir, handmade in Cornwall.

FULLY INSULATED with Knauff Rocksilk. Mineral wool with ECOSE plant based binder, removing all reliance on formaldehyde or polyester binders, and PIR products, to maintain human respiratory health over the long term.

DRAINING FLOOR with durable, waterproof, sand coloured, Microcement.

DELIVERY : Anywhere in UK

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DELIVERY : Anywhere in UK

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Thanks for your precious time

Sam x