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This mass timber sauna in Finland appears as a natural extension of its rocky surroundings

2024-09-23T18:34:00-04:00

On an island within the Finnish archipelago, a sleek, pebble-shaped sauna seems to delicately balance atop a small rock formation. Called Kivi Sauna, the structure was designed by Helsinki-based design and architecture studio Sotamaa.

Image courtesy of Sotamaa

The firm’s design process was guided by a desire to foster a deep connection between the sauna and its surrounding environment, which is defined by the sea and the island’s stark rock landscapes.

Image courtesy of Sotamaa

The sauna was constructed with mass timber, specifically Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) sourced from Finnish forests. Its interior features vast CLT sheets, while its exterior is crafted from milled CLT panels. Between these layers lies a sturdy timber frame. The structure’s exterior is clad in Leadax, a waterproof membrane derived from recycled car windows, which functions as a sustainable replacement for traditional lead roofing. The material’s gray hue echoes the colors and reflections of the surrounding rocks ...

Japanese capsule hotel gets a Scandinavian spa treatment from Schemata Architects

2018-01-25T14:38:00-05:00

The Japanese answer to the hostel, the capsule hotel, debuted in Osaka in the late 70s as a way to provide cheap, basic overnight accommodation to businessman. Stripped down to the bare necessities of a hotel room, individual pods the size of a single bed are stacked together while also offering other amenities like high-speed internet access, bathing facilities, toiletries, etc. Traditionally, the budget accommodation has had a shabby reputation. Today, however, a slew of second wave capsule hotels are trending towards modern, sleek and stylish designs.

Photo Credit: Nacasa & Partners Inc.

One of the latest additions to Japan's expanding luxury capsule hotel market is Nine Hours, the capsule hotel chain—named for the maximum length of stay—that recently renovated ºC (Do-C) Ebisu. Tokyo-based firm Schemata Architects has headed the overhaul of the aging hotel, which will be the first renovation project for the hotel chain.

Photo Credit: Nacasa & P...