WHAT MAKES THIS SAUNA SPECIAL
In a family residence in Québec City, a compact sauna retreat was created in the basement level, oriented towards the garden and designed for year-round use. The traditional Finnish sauna forms part of a discreet wellness area located in a garden-side extension beneath the fitness room. Thanks to its secluded position, the sauna cabin could be fitted with floor-to-ceiling panoramic glazing, allowing the greenery of the garden to become an integral part of the sauna experience.
A glass door provides side access to the cabin while also revealing the round stainless-steel sauna heater, whose generous height accommodates a large quantity of sauna stones. The sauna interior is bright and contemporary in character. Knot-free timber slats are installed with precise spacing and articulated by fine shadow gaps. While the end wall is clad with wider slats to create a calm and unified surface, the side wall and suspended ceiling feature narrower battens, adding depth and subtle variation to the spatial experience.
The reclining benches are arranged on two levels and follow the same proportions as the wall cladding, allowing them to visually merge with the surrounding architecture. Warm indirect lighting complements the clean material palette and enhances the tranquil atmosphere of the sauna.
DESIGN DETAIL
The sauna room is actually taller than the suspended ceiling initially suggests. The lowered ceiling creates a more balanced visual scale and enhances the sense of proportion within the space. Towards the rear of the cabin, it stops short of the wall, providing room for concealed indirect lighting that softly illuminates the interior and adds depth to the architectural composition.
PROPERTY / LOCATION
Family Residence in Québec City, Canada
SAUNA DESIGNER:
LemayMichaud
www.lemaymichaud.com
