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.
