The smallest sauna of the world allows the inhabitants of the city to have a close relationship with water by discovering the rivers of Seattle. This floating-mobile sauna designed by goCstudio aims to create new awareness between the notion of water, local community and floating structures. 

Named wa_sauna, the 14-metre floating structure, occupying approximately 22-square-metre space, will be a new addition to the Pacific Northwest landscape and its adventurous people. The project is conceived as a new way to engage the water surrounding the city, enticing visitors onto the lakes year round.

The project was funded through the support of the local community and a crowd funding campaign in 2015. Wa_sauna engages the ideas of journey and discovery, creating a unique experience and refuge on the water that offers a different perspective on the landscape. 

Boaters and kayakers can venture out and tie off to the surrounding deck, allowing for the sauna tradition to take place on Seattle’s lakes. The floating structure was built in goCstudio's design studio by a number of volunteer people and built by using unique construction skills. 

"We were generously donated a large space in the production warehouse of Hilliard’s brewery for the fabrication of wa_sauna," said goCstudio. 

"Maneuvering a 14’ high, 4,500lb structure from the warehouse to the public boat ramp and into the water was a challenging process. Towed on 6 steel casters with a 1980 VW Vanagon, we slowly crept along at dawn making the 8 block trip to the boat ramp in just under 3 hours."

"The contrast of steel casters on rough gravel and pavement to the feeling of this structure gently floating was the most exciting moment of the build process," the studio continued.

Wa_sauna can now be seen regularly on Lake Union and Lake Washington. The sauna is a registered vessel, powered by an electric trolling motor with (3) 12-volt batteries and heated by a wood burning stove. 

Quietly exploring the lakes, wa_sauna allows users to find peace and quiet in the warmth of the sauna, with endless unique views of Seattle and sounds of the fire crackling and the gentle water around them.

All images © Kevin Scott

> via goCstudio