Home wellness is currently experiencing a surge in popularity. From plunge pools to Pelotons, the concept of a home spa has evolved significantly over time. The latest trend, endorsed by figures like Jack Dorsey and Gwyneth Paltrow, is the personal sauna. John Harris, the UK distributor of Iglucraft, has a lengthy waiting list for his stylish and traditionally crafted Estonian saunas. Additionally, renowned interior designer Peter Mikic has noticed a significant increase in demand for home saunas and infrared rooms. According to Mikic, people are increasingly investing in their homes to prioritize luxury, good health, and personal wellness, which includes not just home gyms, but also saunas and plunge pools.
Saunas have become more popular alongside the growing interest in wild and cold-water swimming. Today’s saunas are far from the traditional pine-clad cabins associated with 1970s well-being. Gabrielle Reason, secretary of the British Sauna Society, and an advocate with degrees in psychology and physiology, highlights the cardiovascular benefits of saunas. Research from Coventry University shows that saunas provide the same cardiovascular benefits as traditional exercise in a gym. Furthermore, saunas have unique advantages for the elderly and those with mobility issues. Saunas are also beneficial for weight loss, although the weight loss itself comes from the cold plunge, an essential part of the sauna ritual alongside the steam. Reason also emphasizes the findings of Finnish cardiologist and scientist Dr. Jari Laukkanen, whose long-term study on sauna bathing shows a direct correlation to longevity, as well as lower instances of Alzheimer’s, depression, and cardiovascular disease.
Apart from their health benefits, saunas are also aesthetically pleasing. Saunas have been at the center of communities for centuries, serving as venues for important ceremonies and rituals. Saunas have been referred to as the “Poor Man’s Pharmacy,” as they were traditionally used for a variety of purposes, including birthing babies, treating the ill, and preparing the deceased for burial. Saunas are inclusive spaces that welcome people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, emphasizing equality. Saunas offer multiple benefits, including social, mental, and physical advantages. They provide a fun and enjoyable experience that is also affordable.
Architect Juan D’Ornellas is passionate about the sauna experience and the process of using a sauna. His sauna, located on the south coast of England, next to a bamboo-filled area near a tidal river, allows for a connection with nature. D’Ornellas drew inspiration from Sweden and the sauna tradition, as well as the country’s wooden architectural heritage. He collaborated with carpenter Will Gilchrist to create a sauna based on the ancient Finnish savusauna technique, which relies on burning wood without a chimney. The sauna is constructed with locally sourced materials, such as Douglas fir, and features a living roof supported by traditional Staddle stones. The sauna stove was built using Peridotite stones from local quarries, known for their high heat capacity due to their iron and magnesium content.
The sauna experience for D’Ornellas involves inviting friends over during high tide and enjoying three 30-minute sessions in the heat, including the traditional process of pouring water over hot stones to create steam before diving into the river. He emphasizes the immersive nature of the sauna experience, which includes hydration with ice-cold spring water and sharing a meal with friends afterward.
Filmmaker Paul Weiland and his wife Caroline turned to Iglucraft, a company based in Estonia, to build a sauna on their property in Wiltshire. Their sauna, located beside a spring-fed pond, resembles a setting from J.R.R. Tolkien’s works and enhances the enchanting atmosphere of the woods surrounding their Georgian home. Iglucraft is known for creating traditionally made saunas, and the Weilands’ sauna is a testament to their craftsmanship. Using the sauna has become a regular part of their weekend routine, providing an opportunity for socializing with friends and their children. The English sensibility of keeping swimwear on while using the sauna is a light-hearted touch.
Sauna ownership does not have to be exclusive or expensive. Sonja Dineley, an Irish sustainable farmer and cold-water-swimming enthusiast, built a sauna with the help of local craftsmen on her property in Wiltshire. She created a rainwater pond and decided to build a sauna as part of her commitment to good health. For Dineley and her husband, the sauna offers therapeutic benefits, particularly for her husband’s chest condition. The sauna has also become a social gathering place for their family and friends, including hosting book club meetings. Dineley values the combination of physical and social benefits that the sauna provides.
Joseph Turnbull, a former set designer and craftsman, specializes in building bespoke cabins and saunas. Using skills he learned while studying carpentry in Finland, Turnbull built a sauna outside his converted barn home in Cornwall. The process of building the sauna allowed him to combine his passion for carpentry and his love for saunas. The sauna serves as a personal retreat and complements his lifestyle in a picturesque location.
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