For art lovers and self-proclaimed relaxation enthusiasts alike, the Gösta Serlachius Museum of Contemporary Art in Mänttä, Finland, has everything you need. The latest addition, made in 2022, features a lakeside sauna and lounge complex that breathes life into the museum-goer's experience.
Designed by Barcelona-based studios Mendoza Partida and BAX Studio, the Art Sauna adds a level of intimacy to the overall journey through the museum, but the purpose for the addition runs deeper than mere aesthetics. According to the brief, it's meant to be a testament to the significance of the sauna in traditional Finnish culture.
Believed to be used as early as 7000 B.C. in Finland, saunas have been used historically as central parts of daily life for centuries, including spaces for hygiene, social interaction, spiritual cleansing and more. The Art Sauna acts as an homage to the cultural tradition.
"Serlachius Foundation is known for its support of Finnish art and culture," Héctor Mendoza and Mara Partida of Mendoza Partida said in a statement to Dezeen. "Sauna is a very important element in Finnish culture, and the new Art Sauna is a continuation of the art journey, now on a very domestic and intimate scale."
The building itself is set apart from the rest of the museum, connected by a path of artificial stone to lead visitors to the banks of the lake. The sauna, embedded in the rolling landscape, hides from view until visitors stumble upon it, emphasizing the connection between landscape, art and architecture.
"We wanted to offer more than a building, a personal experience in which our five senses are surrounded by art and nature," the architects explained to Dezeen. "The building is the background of that experience, and therefore specially crafted solutions and materiality are an intrinsic part of the solution."
Materials chosen for the project include concrete facades and lightweight wooden accents to enhance the atmosphere and make it feel as nature-based as possible. Inside, the sauna, dressing area, lounge and dining space capitalize on the areas for natural light to brighten the space.
From start to finish, the art sauna encapsulates both a love for art and a respect for Finnish culture around every corner of the architectural masterpiece. Visitors can experience the artwork and soak in the sauna for the ultimate relaxation.
This article first appeared in the April 2025 issue of AQUA Magazine — the top resource for retailers, builders and service pros in the pool and spa industry. Subscriptions to the print magazine are free to all industry professionals. Click here to subscribe.
