This sauna hotel is situated on the northern shore of a rocky island in the Espoo archipelago. The architect designed the small hotel in two distinct parts: one houses the sauna room, while the other serves as a hotel space for guests to relax and includes sauna changing rooms.
▲ Plan view
The project site is surrounded by many existing wooden buildings, whose facades have aged to a vintage gray. However, the architect chose not to replicate this gray exterior for the new building. Instead, the design aims to blend harmoniously with the coastal spruce and pine trees, creating a unique visual identity.
The final orientation of the sauna hotel was carefully determined based on the sunset, sea direction, and the terrain. Guests inside the cypress wood sauna can enjoy views through a curved window overlooking the boat path along the shore and the stunning sunset.
▲ General layout plan
Thanks to the spatial separation between the sauna and guest rooms, visitors staying in the hotel rooms can also enjoy the magnificent sunset views. The architect employed the latest cross-laminated timber for the building’s structure.
For the exterior, spruce wood cladding was used and painted with traditional local black Falu paint. The galvanized roof will also be painted in the same deep tone over the coming years to maintain visual harmony and unity.
Project Drawings
▲ Elevation view
▲ Elevation view
▲ Sectional view
▲ Sectional view
Project Information
Project Type: Vacation Cottage
Location: Espoo, Finland
Architectural Firm: Mer Architects
Area: 38.0 m²
Year: 2018
Photographer: Archmosspheres Marc Goodwin
Lead Architect: Julia Hertell
Design Team: Julia Hertell & Samuli Woolston
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