Kyly Sauna

Avanto Architects’ competition entry ´Kyly` won Habitare 09 Sauna design competition for young architects and designers. The project was selected among the twelve most interesting exhibits in the design fair by interior journalists. Kyly was also selected “best in show” as Forum magazine judged the sauna to be this year’s best innovation at Habitare. Kyly is an old Karelian word and means sauna or bathing. The competition entry for Habitare 09 design competition is built by simply laying massive logs over each other on a plot five by six meters resulting in an intimate composition of several spaces. Using a massive structure binds a lot of carbon dioxide. Moreover the structure is easy to dismantle and to put up again for future use. Kyly is a modern interpretation of a traditional log sauna. The sequence of spaces starts by stepping two steps away from the ballyhoo of the surroundings and entering an enclosed dressing room. A shower space is set one step further. The most intimate space is uppermost - the sauna. There is also a furo bath and an area for a fire. A rich composition of spaces is created with very simple means. The smell, texture and acoustic properties of massive wood create a strong atmosphere - a calm wooden nest.