Outdoor sauna in Douglas — wood-fired system
A compact outdoor sauna built from solid Douglas wood and finished with thermally treated aspen — designed as a self-contained space for heat, stillness and rhythm.
This sauna was designed and built as an integrated system — not an isolated object, but a space emerging from material, proportion and use.
The exterior is constructed from Douglas wood, selected for its durability and natural ageing. The interior uses thermally treated aspen, suited for high temperatures while creating a calm, light atmosphere.
At the core is a wood-burning stove (±5 kW), generating not only heat but also rhythm and presence. The act of firing, waiting and building temperature becomes part of the experience itself.
The footprint is intentionally compact (approx. 2.00 × 1.60 m), balancing efficiency with intimacy. The seating is integrated into the structure using aspen slats, combined with indirect lighting that follows the geometry of the interior.
This project demonstrates how a small volume can function as a complete system — where design, craft and use align.
