Sauna Design: Balancing Privacy, Social Life & Nature

Neutral Walls in the Sauna

In the sauna space, strangers come close to one another at short distances and are often nearly naked. This environment highlights the concept of physical proximity, assuming that the sauna is meant to be a largely intimate space.

Cultural Distance

However, public saunas in Japan have not yet reached this level of intimacy. Cultural customs and traditions influence how people interact within these spaces, making the experience different from the conventional perception of physical closeness.

Possibility of Creating a New Community

If a sauna space is designed in harmony with the nature of proximity and the unique mindset of the Japanese people, small communities based on positive interaction and trust can emerge within this environment. The sauna could become more than just a place to relax, transforming into a social space that naturally and safely enhances human connection.

Design and layout of a sauna balancing privacy, social interaction, and integration with nature

Amane Architecture aimed to create a social space that brings people together without being intrusive or overly intimate. The goal was to establish an environment where individuals could share a common understanding in a natural and comfortable way.

Balancing Proximity and Separation

To achieve this balance, the designers developed a wall that simultaneously provides connection and separation. The wall’s general verticality harmonizes with the surrounding forest, while its gaps allow for a visual closeness to nature. At the same time, the wall’s rhythmic arrangement regulates the level of intimacy between neighbors, creating a balance between privacy and social interaction.

Through this approach, the design goes beyond merely constructing a functional wall, transforming it into a tool that guides the social experience within the space while enhancing the relationship between humans and the surrounding nature in a smooth and balanced manner.

The Irregular Plan and Its Impact on Design

The irregular plan was adopted to allow the eye to pass through the spaces and to create a sense of expansiveness. This layout also helped regulate the level of intimacy within the space, ensuring that distances between individuals corresponded naturally to the intended use.

Practical Solutions Using CLT

150 mm CLT floorboards were used as a rational solution to achieve structural stability and design flexibility. This choice not only enhanced the aesthetic appeal but also facilitated practical and efficient on-site floor installation.

Eliminating Beams and Simplifying the Structure

Additionally, removing traditional beams eliminated the need for non-perpendicular joints in the structure, reducing complexity and saving effort and time during construction. This approach demonstrates how intelligent design can seamlessly combine aesthetics and functionality.

Rational Walls and the Discrete Structure

The rational walls are assembled in modular units in a discrete manner, connected by CLT panels, giving the structure both consistency and clear functionality at the same time.

This discrete structural form can be described as a sociopetal structure, designed to bring people closer together and encourage social interaction. Through this design, the function extends beyond mere structural support to naturally and comfortably fostering social connections.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

It can be observed that the sauna design clearly reflects a focus on integrating nature with the social experience, alongside practical solutions such as the use of CLT panels to provide flexibility and structural stability. The irregular plan allows the eye to move through the spaces, creating a sense of a relatively open area.

However, there remain several reservations that may affect the overall user experience. The level of privacy and intimacy may be limited for some visitors due to the physical proximity dictated by the design, and the discrete structure may not be functionally clear or easily understood by everyone. Some practical elements, despite their effectiveness, could impact the aesthetic impression or the sense of harmony within the space. Overall, the project stands as a clear attempt to balance social interaction and privacy, with opportunities to better align the design with the diverse needs of its users.