The Drying Shed Sauna

Inspired by Scandinavian sauna culture, it provides a meditative experience for guests staying in two Built Works-designed eco-cabins on the same site, run by Architects Holiday - an online platform for architect-designed holiday-lets. Tucked into a clearing, the sauna’s compact design uses the site’s sloping topography and dense woodland to prevent overlooking from the cabins and immerse guests into nature. A key part of Built Works’ mission is to sensitively integrate sustainable, ecologically-positive spaces into landscapes like this. To achieve this here, the sauna features a lightweight, timber-framed structure, with a raised corrugated roof and red larch cladding. Where possible the timber is locally-sourced and the structure is insulated with recycled plastic and sheep wool. The sauna perches on salvaged stone and uses root-sensitive screw piles to minimise disruption to wildlife. The design references historic, local agricultural drying sheds, drawing a light-hearted parallel between both uses. This can be seen in its simple form and finish, where textured shingles are arranged in repeating panels with corner detailing – a nod to visible façade mechanisms on traditional drying sheds. The interior features alder panelling and a hand-crafted bench - made from a silver birch tree trunk, found fallen just 50m from the site. Guests can admire unspoilt views, as a large picture window brings the outside in. The off-grid sauna uses a wood-burning stove with authentic Finish sauna stones, and guests are invited to tend to the fire, as they relax and shape their own sauna ritual. The Drying Shed sauna was built by Built Works and Architects Holiday in a summer workshop to test innovative ideas and develop new skills. Following its completion, their ongoing, on-site collaboration will soon see the addition of five new cabins.