Textural wooden pods for Japanese spa

The organic wooden sauna “SAZAE” is built at the center of the glamping facility “SANA MANE” near the small inlet of Naoshima.

The biggest challenge was the wood masonry, made by stacking 150 layers of CNC-processed 28 mm thick plywood. The solid wood sauna has an average wall thickness of 450 mm to ensure the performance of heat insulation and heat retention.

GALLERY  

The exterior has countless folds like a shell, giving the surface an impressive shadow. Inside, the pleats are shaped gently to conform to the body and provide a comfortable sitting experience. Only the oculus lets light in, creating a meditative experience.

Although this spiral pleated geometry was complex using 1,500 plywood sheets, the design of the shape and the plywood paneling were controlled by 3D CAD and programming.

Unlike a general sauna, despite the high ceiling, the temperature and humidity are kept at an optimum level by making full use of environmental simulations and designing forced ventilation airflow.

Images by Keishin Horikoshi / SS Inc. via ArchDaily






Get our enews

Design and development news that comes to you

Subscribe
                 


Eventide Coffee Harnesses Coastal Light in Chennai

Set against the sea in Chennai, Eventide Coffee has been conceived as a calm architectural response to site, ...

S9 Architecture Revives Nashville Slaughterhouse

American studio S9 Architecture has transformed a long-abandoned slaughterhouse site in Tennessee into the mixed-use Neuhoff District, repositioning ...

Sekisui House Advances $5B Melrose Park Masterplan

Sekisui House has reached the halfway mark of its $5 billion transformation of Melrose Park in Sydney’s west, ...

HIA Calls for Long-Term Commitment to Apprenticeship Incentives

The Housing Industry Association has welcomed new data showing a steady uptake of incentives under the Key Apprenticeship ...

Perth Tower Delayed and $1.6B Convention Centre Scrapped

Two of Perth’s most significant city-shaping projects have hit critical turning points, with plans for the city’s tallest ...

  MORE  

Stay connected to the SPEC

Join our reader network by signing up to our weekly newsletter and receive design and development news straight to your inbox





Specifier Source is brought to you by the same company that publishes Home Design, Grand Designs Australia Magazine, Kitchens & Bathrooms Quarterly Magazine, Outdoor Design Source, Build Home, CompleteHome and many more.

© 2022 Universal Media Co. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Universal Media Co.