Architects in Finland have completed a project designed to respect the Finnish tradition of Sauna, as well as create a new a space where people would talk, seek experiences, and create a sense of social togetherness. To do this, they leaned heavily on the classic combination of two natural materials: wood and stone.
In a recent DesignBoom article, Chief Designer of the project said of the art installation: ‘The building complex, precisely embedded in the landscape park, rises from the slope as grooved concrete walls and opens out towards the lake as light infills built with oak. Concealing the building technology, the eaves and joint structures required by our challenging climate, and the extensions of the materials have challenged the skills of both the design team and the builders to the extreme.’
Look at these gorgeous photos of the final project. From breathtaking project siting on a Finnish lake, to the stark contrast between concrete and wood, the art project/social space is a perfect example of the interplay between these real, natural materials in the face of a modern culture consumed with replicas.
Serlachius Museums’ Art Sauna bonds concrete, stone, & wood for sauna culture in Finland
Interior of sauna
path leading to the sauna
entrance to the steam room
arching oak ceiling of Art Sauna
All images courtesy of Serlachius Museums | all photos by Marc Goodwin of Archmospheres Photography
Project name: Art Sauna
museum: Serlachius Museums
location: Mänttä, Finland
architects: Héctor Mendoza, Mara Partida, Boris Bežan
execution planning: Pekka Pakkanen, Anna Kontuniemi
landscape design: Gretel Hemgård
art curator: Laura Kuurne
interior design: Rafael Maynegre
overall concept: Päivi Viherkoski
