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In the heart of Teshikaga, Hokkaido, a striking tower-shaped sauna redefines the fusion of modern innovation and traditional sauna practices. With its distinctive design, this structure is crafted from robust Cypress wood, featuring free-flowing curves both inside and out. These smooth, organic shapes were created with precision using an advanced 5-axis CNC machine at VUILD’s specialized fabrication facility, showcasing a seamless integration of natural materials with cutting-edge technology.
The sauna’s interior offers a dynamic thermal experience, allowing users to explore varying temperatures as they move through the space. Ascending in a spiral layout, visitors encounter increasing warmth on higher levels, thanks to the natural tendency of heat to rise. This design ensures a personalized thermal journey, culminating at the top floor, where a spacious area invites individuals to recline and relax. Clever use of vertical space maximizes functionality, with seating blocks along the staircase doubling as both structural supports and resting spots.
Breaking away from traditional symmetry, the sauna boasts an unconventional shape, with each Cypress block custom-designed for its role in the structure. This meticulous construction approach, which recalls ancient building techniques, is realized through VUILD’s innovative digital fabrication processes. Extensive research into the balance of form and function informed the precise measurements and assembly methods used for each component.
The blocks are assembled using a sophisticated stacking system, reminiscent of interlocking puzzle pieces. Grooves carved into the wood create a three-dimensional joint system that secures the blocks together, preventing vertical displacement. Horizontal and vertical screws enhance the structure’s overall stability, ensuring durability over time.
Achieving optimal heat levels is essential in sauna architecture, and this design finds a careful balance between interior space and efficient use of the heating stove. The design offers a sense of privacy while maintaining a communal ambiance. Adjustable airflow and temperature controls, facilitated by a strategically placed window at the top of the structure, allow users to customize their experience. Additionally, subtle, indirect lighting—conceived in collaboration with a lighting designer—elevates the atmosphere, casting a soft glow that enhances relaxation and creates a meditative, almost magical environment.