Welcome to Saunarama

"Heat, wood, stone, steam-the sauna's appeal lies in its elemental simplicity. Yet beneath that minimalist façade lies a surprisingly complex design challenge that has architects and homeowners rethinking how to integrate wellness spaces into contemporary living. The expanding home sauna market, projected by Kohler Co. to reach $4.6 billion globally by 2033, reflects more than just a trend toward self-care; it signals a fundamental shift in how we conceive of domestic luxury."

"In the States, saunas have often been relegated to basements or tucked away within primary bathrooms. Yet positioning them in more central spaces can encourage daily use, justify the investment, and elevate the experience. At Yun Architecture, principals Susan Yun and Felix Ade recently installed a sauna on the ground level of a Brooklyn passive house, opening directly onto the garden. "It allows access to nature to become part of the routine, and the sauna to become a place to socialize," Yun explains."

"Others suggest functional adjacency. "Pair it with a fitness room, a cold plunge, a hot tub, maybe a steam room," says Todd Kennedy of CCY Architects. "Because saunas now tend to be more compact, they fit into a ritual: workout, stretch, sauna, shower, relax." "The sauna coupled with the cold plunge in a home spa or gym is definitely in," agrees Michael Altneu, Vice President of Global Luxury at Coldwell Banker. "It's part of the demand for wellness amenities, especially post-COVID.""

Saunas combine heat, wood, stone and steam to deliver elemental simplicity while presenting complex design and construction challenges. The global home sauna market is projected to reach $4.6 billion by 2033, signaling rising demand for domestic wellness amenities. Central siting within homes and direct connections to nature can encourage frequent use and socializing, while adjacency to fitness rooms, cold plunges, or steam rooms supports ritualized routines. Compact footprints make integration easier in modern homes. Proper installation requires insulation in walls, ceilings and floors and a continuous vapor barrier inside the insulation to manage moisture and protect structure.

Read at Architectural Digest