Sauna 1105

The 200 sq.ft. sauna pavilion lies deep in the woods of  Somesville on Mount Desert Island, set well off the beaten path of Main Street. The journey from the existing residence to the sauna is part of the overall experience.  At the end of the footpath  the sauna appears to levitate on slender columns above the forest floor as a transparent continuation of the natural surroundings.

The Hemlock lattice panels that enclose the sauna core are overlapped and offset, as the panels attempt to weave a moiré watermark onto and into the regularized form.   Seemingly random native Maine spruce columns respond to the verticality and species of the surrounding trees, the hemlock lattice skin takes direction from the enveloping forest canopy.

The sauna core walls are stout hemlock logs that contrast other elements with opacity and permanence. The interior of the sauna is crafted in native white cedar. Even the sauna door handle is a found element, weathered cedar driftwood, contrasting in texture and finished by nature. A translucent panel is the roof above, which permits softened light and shadows to enter within. Devoid of decoration, the sauna entertains users  with a play of light and shadow. View angle, time of day and depth of field all influence perceptions of the lattice skin. In the late afternoon shadows are cast across all surfaces. Moiré patterns, ever-changing shadows and the play of transparency offer a variety of visual phenomena to enjoy while one cools off in the interior courtyard.

Despite the sauna’s complete disconnect to the modern world, it fosters reconnection.