Charred Timber Sauna Emerges on French Lakeside

Located in the countryside of Aveyron, in the south of France, ‘lakeside sauna’ by Atelier AJO takes shape as a small wooden cabin formed by a group of friends using mainly timber from the neighboring sawmill. Between cows and meadows, the project is strategically placed on the pond shore of a lake, facing the beech forest and the sunset. Built on light foundations (micro piles), it does not impact the fragile structure of the dike and can be easily removed.

The sauna by Atelier AJO emerges from the ground as an exogenous object, standing on a light structure. Two different levels of benches for different heat tolerances model the outer shape of the sauna. The outside facade is covered with charred timber planks, burnt in situ — the Japanese traditional treatment method ‘shou sugi ban’ uses fire to preserve wood, providing it with a good weather resistance while conferring a strong character to the volume.

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The inside is adapted to the dimensions of the human body offering space for up to four people. in contrast to the exterior cladding, light pine wood recreates the Scandinavian atmosphere. the polished concrete staircase takes form as an independent element that allows entry, while the interior opens onto the lake and the woods through an oculus. From the outside, the circle window is transformed into a unidirectional mirror attached to the cladding to preserve the intimacy of the interior while capturing the distinctive land of Veillac.