Loyly, Finland
Designed by Avanto Architects, Löyly is a coastal sauna located in Hernesaari, a former industrial area of Helsinki, Finland. It was completed in 2016.
The building is characterised by an irregularly-shaped outer shell that acts as a ‘cloak’, covering the rectangular black box that contains the sauna and restaurant.
Wooden slats and bleachers create the multi-faceted volume of the sauna, allowing visitors to climb up to a viewing platform. The building is relatively low to the ground so that it will not impinge upon sea views for future residents. At ground level, a terrace extends out over the coastline, with a flight of stairs leading down into the sea.
The building is made of blackened concrete and steel and pale Scandinavian birch wood, materials selected for their durability. The external pine cladding was pressed, glued and heat-treated, and is intended to grey with age so that it blends in with the stony coastline.
The developers intend to rediscover the community attachment to public saunas, which have been under threat from the growing popularity of private saunas. Finland, with a population of 5.4 million, has over three million saunas, roughly one per household.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Blur Building.
- Building of the week series.
- Chapel of the Holy Cross, Sedona.
- Cube Houses.
- Dancing House, Prague.
- Fish Building, India.
- Gentle Genius.
- Liepaja Thermal Bath.
- Little Crooked House, Poland.
- Norwegian Mountaineering Center.
- Suvela Chapel.
- Swimming pool construction.
- Underwater restaurant.
- Unusual building design of the week.
Featured articles and news
Sustainable Urban Drainage and Biodiversity
Awards for champions of these interconnected fields now open.
Microcosm of biodiversity in balconies and containers
How minor design adaptations for considerable biodiversity benefit.
CIOB student competitive construction challenge Ireland
Inspiring a new wave of Irish construction professionals.
Challenges of the net zero transition in Scotland
Skills shortage and ageing workforce hampering Scottish transition to net zero.
Private rental sector, living standards and fuel poverty
Report from the NRH in partnership with Impact on Urban Health.
.Cold chain condensing units market update
Tracking the evolution of commercial refrigeration unit markets.
Attending a conservation training course, personal account
The benefits of further learning for professsionals.
Restoring Alexander Pope's grotto
The only surviving part of his villa in Twickenham.
International Women's Day 8 March, 2025
Accelerating Action for For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.
Lack of construction careers advice threatens housing targets
CIOB warning on Government plans to accelerate housebuilding and development.
Shelter from the storm in Ukraine
Ukraine’s architects paving the path to recovery.
BSRIA market intelligence division key appointment
Lisa Wiltshire to lead rapidly growing Market Intelligence division.
A blueprint for construction’s sustainability efforts
Practical steps to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Timber in Construction Roadmap
Ambitious plans from the Government to increase the use of timber in construction.
ECA digital series unveils road to net-zero.
Retrofit and Decarbonisation framework N9 launched
Aligned with LHCPG social value strategy and the Gold Standard.
Competence framework for sustainability
In the built environment launched by CIC and the Edge.
Institute of Roofing members welcomed into CIOB
IoR members transition to CIOB membership based on individual expertise and qualifications.
Join the Building Safety Linkedin group to stay up-to-date and join the debate.
Government responds to the final Grenfell Inquiry report
A with a brief summary with reactions to their response.