At the edge of the serene forest lake in Norway, where the foggy shadows envelop the trees, a floating sauna rests on calm waters. Dubbed Watercave sauna, it was built by student architectural practice Rabagast Studio for Opaker Gård, an organic regenerative farm in Norway, as a token of appreciation for the local community. It becomes a space to rest, rejuvenate, and connect with nature.
Led by students of the Trondheim-based Norwegian University of Science and Technology, the project was completed in two weeks on an existing floating pontoon. The studio was inspired by the encompassing landscape’s grounded and inward impulse. Resultantly, the designers created a structure that is intimate, inviting, and as dynamic as the landscape itself.
The Watercave floating sauna is built completely from wood, featuring horizontal planks on three sides and clad with timber shingles. The interior features a dark, charred timber look, coated with linseed oil that Rabagast Studio described as feeling ‘almost like a carved-out cave,’ in a talk with Dezeen. The benches are created from pale aspen wood to complete the setup.
There is a wood burner, next to a large window, for people to enjoy some swoon-worthy views across the lake. On the opposite side, there’s a covered area with firewood storage and a built-in bench to lose oneself in the stillness of the water.
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To maintain the balance of the floating sauna atop the pontoon, the corrugated polycarbonate roof is built with angled eaves, distributing the weight evenly. Even during heavy snowfall, the steep roof prevents the structure from overloading.
Contrary to the calm and light exterior, the intimate and dark atmosphere of the interior truly defines the sauna experience, which revolves around the approach, undressing, rinsing, relaxing, and a transition from cold to warmth. The Watercave floating sauna is designed to offer a sensory experience, while allowing visitors to explore the landscape and create a connection between the internal and external environment.
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