Sauna Svartisen

Sauna Svartisen | Svartisen, Norway | 2023
[Fuse Arkitekter + NTNU AD + FAUP]

Sauna Svartisen is a project by the student-led architecture firm Fuse Arkitekter, developed as part of NTNU´s master course, Design in Context. Commissioned by the Meløy municipality, the project entailed the students‘ dual role of designing and constructing a sauna for visitors adjacent to Norway‘s second-largest glacier, all within 10 days. The project was also carried out in collaboration with three student representatives from the Faculdade de Arquitectura da Universidade do Porto (FAUP) to investigate the possibilities of using cork as a building material in a sauna.

Located in the wilderness of Northern Norway, Sauna Svartisen stands as a modern marvel in the Arctic landscape. Its design, characterized by simplicity and minimalism, serves as a sanctuary from the harsh elements and an discret extension of its pristine surroundings. Positioned within a small valley that opens toward the glacier, every step taken toward it is a deliberate journey into the heart of the Arctic wilderness. The design, marked by a precise line mirroring the serenity of the glacial lake, highlights the ever-changing landscape, establishing a dialogue between human creation and the natural world.

Norway’s second largest glacier, Svartisen, is located about 140 kilometres south of Bodø. Svartisen is perhaps Norway’s most photogenic glacier and attracts a lot of tourism. Hurtigruten docks in Holandsfjorden, from where it’s a 20-minute walk to the outlet of the Svartisen glacier at Engabrevatnet. The mountains are high and the atmosphere in this remote location can be described as magical. 200 metres from Brestua, Sauna Svartisen is nestled in the terrain, floating between two small hills.

The plan consists of four squares arranged in a linear grid. Two of these squares, situated in a small valley, constitute the core of the building. One square is housing the sauna, while the following square serves as a versatile hangout area and changing room. The end squares offer a place to hang a hammock and enjoy the environment, whilst providing protection from the elements. The building is suspended from a roof structure supported by slender columns that delicately touch the ground, reducing the environmental footprint.

Sauna Svartisen offers two distinct entrances. The first entrance features a gently sloping ramp in front of the building, designed to ensure accessibility for everyone. This pathway leads to a small boardwalk that extends the hangout space, allowing sauna-goers to interact with nature and cool down in the glacial lake. The second entrance serves as the primary axis that traverses through the structure. As visitors pass through, they are treated to a breathtaking view of the glacier, creating a sense of anticipation and awe. This central axis functions as the primary circulation route from which various spaces extend.

The sauna room embodies timeless Finnish sauna traditions with two spacious benches accommodating up to twelve visitors. A strategically placed window frames a picturesque view of the glacier, connecting bathers with the natural world. Cork, integrated into the sauna’s design serves as a soft and insulating backrest, adding texture and character to the space. A small hangout area provides a space to cool down and enjoy breathtaking views while still being protected from the elements. The firewood is stored in this area, providing convenient access for sauna-goers, and adding an intriguing architectural element to the background. The changing room, though exposed to the outside climate, offers a fully enclosed space with a bench and a shelf for bathers to leave their belongings. The floor, adorned with stones that appear to emerge organically from the earth, seamlessly follows the contours of the landscape, reinforcing the integration with its environment.

The sauna is crafted from sustainable, locally sourced materials, constructed from locally cut spruce and complemented by stones collected from the surrounding area. The building’s finish, a blend of linseed oil, tar, and charcoal, pays homage to traditional Norwegian preservation techniques. Text description by the architects.