Inside A Nordic Sauna That Looks Like A Rock | Unique Spaces | Architectural Digest

Today Architectural Digest brings you to Finland’s capital Helsinki to tour Löyly, a remarkable public sauna designed to blend in with nature. Perched on the city’s rugged coastline, architects Anu Puustinen and Ville Hara designed Löyly to resemble a rock formation on the shore. Sustainability and community are at the heart of this unique space - using only FSC-certified materials to create a unifying holistic environment for current and future generations.
Director: Meg Sutton
Director of Photography: Hannu Pyyhtiä
Editor: Ron Douglas
Supervising Producer: Vara Reese
Producer: Petteri Lehtinen
Line Producer: Joe Buscemi
Associate Producer: Landrie Hatcher
Production Manager: Melissa Heber
Production Manager - Helsinki: Henri Hämäläinen
Production Coordinator: Fernando Davila
Camera Operator: Joni Helminen
Audio: Antti Pöntinen
Post Production Supervisor: Andrew Montague
Post Production Coordinator: Holly Frew
Supervising Editor: Christina Mankellow
Additional Editor: J.Y. Chun
Assistant Editor: Billy Ward
Colorist: Oliver Eid
Graphics Supervisor: Ross Rackin
Check out Ville Hara and Anu Puustinen of Avanto Architects here:
Website: avan.to/
Instagram: @avantoarchitects | / avantoarchitects
Special thanks to the team at Löyly Helsinki:
Website: www.loylyhelsinki.fi/
Instagram: @loylyhelsinki | loylyhelsin...
Additional Drone footage by: Antti Rastivo
Website: www.rastivo.com/
Instagram: @real_rastivo | / real_rastivo
Special thanks to Lily Bonesso, Hanna Karppinen, and Leena Karppinen
Want even more AD? Subscribe to the magazine and get a free tote ►► bit.ly/3Oh8McU
Still haven’t subscribed to Architectural Digest on KZbin? ►► bit.ly/2zl7s34
ABOUT ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST
The leading international design authority, Architectural Digest features articles and videos of the best in architecture, style, culture, travel, and shopping.

[@ungh8365]

For anyone wondering about the empty area behind Löyly, it used to be an industrial area and is now waiting for development. Löyly will be part of a new sea shore park and residental area of Hernesaari.

[@craigsinnott296]

Hotel so that I can visit 😁🔥👍

[@JillWhitcomb1966]

This video is so interesting. Not only are we learning about architecture, but Finnish sauna culture, Finnish society, and Finnish personalities. For those of us who have never been to Finland, it is a lesson in geography, lifestyle, and history, as well.

[@TheDefaultgameer]

What is interesting, is we kinda saw Finns, learn a bit more about Finnish culture as well. Maybe more accurately, they are re learning about is, with opening up of a public sauna. A usually closed off, stand offish Finnish persona opens up.

[@SammyboiStudios]

completely agree, would love to see similar videos in different countries

[@juhaleskinen7383]

And it's not. It is all about Helsinki. Not about Finland.

[@saaraa7876]

@@juhaleskinen7383 so? Helsinki is in Finland, Löyly is in Helsinki. Finnish countryside isn’t somehow “more real” Finland than Helsinki.

[@Sir.flexalot2132]

@@saaraa7876 chillaa veli

[@FinnishPanther]

Definitely worth a visit if you are in town, great ambiance. I had a part of my bachelor party here. We first went to the sauna, had dinner here and then headed for the nightlife in Helsinki.

[@Quartz_Composer]

I was here this past October! Had a wonderful dinner and then swam in the freezing cold water after spending time in the sauna. Amazing experience and amazing architecture.

[@miiah7475]

As a finn I still find it funny that it's just a matter of time that a smoke sauna burns. Not if but when... Explaining that to people is interesting to say the least!

[@fakiiri2645]

I sometimes tell people that one of the criteria for really being Finnish is to have burnt a smoke sauna. Yes, I'm in the club.

[@B1gLupu]

It's probably because of the long heating time and because soot does have a flashpoint. For anyone foreigners afraid about being trapped, smoke sauna isn't lit while used, so if it were to burn, it would be during heating.

[@whizzywoo582]

I love that you guys adapted your expectations when you realised what a social space you'd created :) What a beautiful building

[@SaintOrCinema]

I love it. Helsinki is my favourite city I have ever visited

[@jayqsamo]

Fun fact: The place is owned by a Finnish actor named Jasper Pääkkönen. it wouldn't normally say much to people abroad but if you're familiar with Spike Lees movie Black Klansman, he played Felix Kendricksen.

[@ajarila]

Can be also seen in the Vikings.

[@thejjzz]

But still his biggest achievements are acting Saku Salin in Salkkarit, not to mention acting Matti Nykänen ;)

[@anastasiaf.4421]

An ultimate indicator of a high quality of life is having a Nordic sauna. What a luxury!

[@suzawilo]

Erm... You can have affordable ones as well. Here you pay for the experiences.

[@notsharingwithyoutube]

I don't know much about Finland, but it looks like they have a very tasteful aesthetic.

[@notsharingwithyoutube]

@@Sortedbard0 I just looked at a lot of photos of it. Thanks, fren. It is an amazing building.

[@ojl5055]

@@notsharingwithyoutube It is very remarkable how the city built an amazing library in the modern times when most countries are closing their libraries and other public spaces

[@jentaro]

Swedes and Nordic countries in general are a lot like the Japanese in terms of living and building. Their buildings always have a distinct look and are minimalist in design and functional in terms of usage. I love it.

[@artisthusnatalal3099]

Yah I'm seeing some resemblance

[@bakeraus]

Cultural cross overs, very similar in many ways

[@Ksoism]

Also somewhat in manners. Japanese have a lot more codes and layers, but Scandinavians (I would say especially Finnish) are also closed, introverted, quiet etc.

[@biofilms22]

This is Finnish, it has nothing to do with those Scandinavian monkey devils!

[@disadadi8958]

@@Ksoism Finland isn't a part of Scandinavia, though.

[@beardown6574]

Wow this video was so peaceful and calming! That building is absolutely gorgeous. Bravo to the design team. It was so fascinating learning about the Finnish love of saunas.

[@suzawilo]

You should visit. Twice. Winter and summer😊

[@beardown6574]

@@suzawilo that would be a dream!

[@frankgibson8218]

Adding this to the bucket list

[@glock18c]

What a lovely space you guys have created. Very wholesome presentation too. Would love to visit

[@JerriCouncil]

WOW! Wow, wow! Absolutely amazing!

[@user-lq8zw7yy3i]

absolutely stunning architecture

[@daynewillie6807]

Amazing ideas and scenic views

[@Eltoca21]

Fantastic... absolutely fantastic!

[@HK-ul8qb]

Another place to put on my list to visit.

[@mranderson6840]

I've found a strong interest in the artistic architecture that I didn't realize that I had thanks to your videos on your channel. Thank you

[@henrys4338]

I love the respect and balance between designers!

[@Tara-oy9cl]

jes Suomi on nyt AD'ssa 💪

[@suzawilo]

Eli ei torille, vaan saunaan😊

[@hulyakocyigit1667]

I really loved it! I would like to see this place one day

[@Berttiz]

Make sure u use the bucket, its such a refreshing experience

[@CapitalJ25]

Beautiful!!

[@wonycash]

This is great , it looks seemless with the look of the shoreline

[@JAZZnMOTION]

I love the cold water bucket for those who don’t want to do the plunge or wants to get the first shock out of the way

[@dinodinosaur2930]

💚 A truly beautiful building with stunning design... Love the concept of misdirection forcing users to ask for direction 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@bradgolden1241]

One of my favorite places to visit. Kiitos

[@mcbrain79]

Ole hyvä 😁😁

[@mihaidaniliuc1001]

Natural și simplu.

[@terttuturkmen8998]

It is so natural to us finns!!! Not a big deal!!!😊

[@jnorri01]

Probably my favourite place in the world

[@irmgardkuchernig1156]

Amazing. Visiting for sure!

[@abdwahababdwahab4538]

Suupeer relaxinng Finlind is on my bucket list

[@mariedhm]

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G

[@thisisbrad]

This was an amazing watch.

[@luispaulomachadoamorim6937]

Bravo!!

[@suukko]

Inspiring video, amazing project 😍🤩!!!!!

[@asweetiepiebtw2032]

Brilliant!

[@essencecrain5]

I will one day visit this place. So beautiful and thoughtfully curated.

[@hareramanama]

Шедевр, дорогие мои финны! Как всегда всё продумано до мелочей. Kippis!

[@user-n9990]

This is beautiful, I want to visit Finland just to experience this sauna..

[@COOKIECRAZY2000]

love this for Trixie! She deservers the success after everything with Klarna

[@taniasergienko6803]

I’m in love with this project ❤ must visit

[@frannieswannie6046]

a beautifully done building

[@hopperblue934]

Hmm very useful and memorable

[@lucybull3064]

I love how they say sauna

[@user-sr5xg8pv7o]

Мои комплименты!!! Очень крутой проект! Финны молодцы! С легким и красивым паром! Петербург смотрит !

[@pboomerang]

My favorite place in Eiranranta ❤️

[@craigsinnott296]

You are now on my bucket list 🔥🥰🥶🤣😂

[@universalfactfinder]

❤❤

[@rezilubis]

❤❤❤❤

[@ItsMe-qp9zt]

Suomi 😍😍😍

[@kathleenweinberg6442]

Not bad at all

[@DKGifford19608]

And now is the time on Sprockets where we dance!

[@btimec5290]

Tour by sprockets?

[@BradThePitts]

Very similar aesthetic to Sky Lagoon in Reykjavík, Iceland.

[@MikeGajda]

So true! I’ve been to Sky Lagoon so now this is on my bucket list!

[@suzawilo]

​@@MikeGajda Welcome to Finland 🇫🇮 ❤

[@mariavbn2012]

I had the worlds best burger at this place!

[@someguy6924]

Yes, Scandinavia not only gets it, but lives it: Quality over quantity

[@TXMEDRGR]

Sure, except for the lawless no-go spaces in some large cities.

[@biofilms22]

There's no such thing as a "Nordic sauna"! Only Finnish sauna!

[@VictorRochaGaming]

Built to burn. That's wild.

[@mantelikukkapenkki2368]

The reason for that is that there is also a smoke sauna and we have a saying in Finland that there are two types of smoke saunas, those that have burned down and those that haven't, yet...

[@VictorRochaGaming]

@@mantelikukkapenkki2368 It's very cool. I hope I get to try it one day.

[@bushiboimoses]

Can we get something about BIG

[@zachydan]

please build this in NYC

[@madelinefarrell2176]

As this is a public building, I fear it would be largely taken advantage of and destroyed in the city

[@castform57]

Hah, probably prohibited due to it being a bathing location, or due to some BS public indecency regulation. Can't show too much skin while bathing.

[@aeyuio2315]

Do they have any public beaches on Manhattan? If so, then it might be doable. The neighbours would just have to put up with people in towels / bathing suits etc.

[@zachydan]

@@aeyuio2315 Red Hook in Brooklyn is perfectly suitable for this

[@phm19880]

​@@zachydan😅yeah. Maybe Pier 41 Waterfront Garden area? At least have rocks on the beach there. I have never visited in NY( have dreamed tho long time), i am Finnish, but i just had to do some google maps tours in Red Hook u named..Not bad idea..😅👍🏻👌

[@Val_Chillmer]

okay today on beyond the press channel we are blowing up an entire sauna

[@julijules2104]

Is this in espo?

[@kallesirvio2695]

He literally said Helsinki at the start of the video

[@aeyuio2315]

Blend in with nature? Löyly is the most well-known URBAN sauna in Finland. In the middle of the BIGGEST city in Finland! There are probably hundreds of urban, public saunas in Finland. That is probably one of the biggest ones. Usually there are multiple smaller ones in a city, in stead of one big one. The countryside / "the nature" has even more saunas, but they are usually private. Or maybe "hiking saunas" in some government nature reserves.

[@Lilzvx]

The building is amazing.. the design is... But the smoke sauna sounds like really bad idea for people's health..

[@HannuPulkkinen49]

Maybe you don't know what a smoke sauna means. There is no smoke there. Although the stove does not have a chimney, the smoke is vented before bathing. On the contrary, a smoke sauna is a great experience. The heat is soft and caressing.

[@JonLev]

Does anyone understand how a smoke sauna does not poison the inhabitants with carbon monoxide and/or smoke inhalation?

[@CorporalCookie]

The smoke sauna is preheated. Prior to anyone going in, the door is opened and the smoke is allowed to exit (at this point, nothing is burning anymore). After that the sauna relies on the stored up heat which can last for quite a long time.

[@amadeuz8161]

What is a Nordic sauna? Never seen one and I thought we had em all in Finland... Is a Nordic one of those the Swedes use with max temperature at 60 degrees and clothes on you?

[@B1gLupu]

Nah, it's mostly Finnish influenced saunas up here. Turkish saunas and vapor saunas are not that common

[@xineagex]

Americans will be: where's the parking lot 🤔??

[@blayasblay3941]

Not able to finish this video, but they build this 2016, there has been a public FREE sauna in sompasaari (sompa island) since 2011. It is operated by a society, and anybody can go and heat the sauna up 24/7. That is for the people, this löyly is for people with money. Not saying it's bad, but get off your high horse, architechs acting like made a public service fu.

[@chellinacell7450]

It's embarrassing if I get this wrong, but I think Ville is taking voguing classes in Saiffa. Double embarrassing because I don't talk to him at all 💀💀💀

[@Blashmack]

I have to make a correction, most city people I know go to sauna only once a week.

[@lelleiv]

TORILLE

[@Akdjeneejjwjsjsjsjsjjsjse]

First

[@Ah01]

Sauna designed to burn down? 😂😂

[@CorporalCookie]

Well, not designed but more prone to having it happen. There's a reason that there's a general running joke in Finland about the sauna burning down every weekend.

[@Ah01]

@@CorporalCookie Höpöhöpö

[@br2266]

why are there these random non skippable commercials begging us for money?

[@GeorgeVenturi]

That sauna is perfect so close to de Mediterranean Sea. Gotta love Portugal.

[@mooonrudi]

It's in Finland, so that's the Baltic Sea

[@saaraa7876]

@@mooonrudi and Portugal isn’t by the Mediterranean either

[@GeorgeVenturi]

I though that Portugal was in the Mediterranean Sea not in the Baltic Sea, my bad.

[@saaraa7876]

@@GeorgeVenturi there are other seas. But I will welcome out Portuguese neighbours on the Baltic.

[@GeorgeVenturi]

​@@saaraa7876 Yes lets celebrate the Portuguese neighbours, and thank You Sara, I am sure that your generosity has no bounds. I love geography as much as you do!!

[@eedesign878]

Löyly on huippu mesta arkkitehtoonisesti. Yksi suosikkejani ehdottomasti ja hyvin harvinainen siitä että innoitti itseänikin. Ainoastaan harmi että mukaan piti loppuvaiheessa sotkea taas ilmastouskonto ja muut löpinät. Aivan kuin seuraavaa sukupolvea ei tulisi riippuen Löylyn rakennustavasta tai onko kalalla joku sertti.

[@kristaheikkala2089]

Oon erimieltä siksi, että Suomessa otamme nuo asiat usein itsestään selvyytenä. AD on kansainvälinen ja on tärkeä näyttää, että Suomessa näihin panostetaan ja että muuallakin kannattaa :)

[@eedesign878]

@@kristaheikkala2089 mitäköhän muuten KZbin on kämmännyt että kaikkien käyttäjänimet on hävinneet ja nykyään numerosarjat perässä. :D

[@etikkakurkku]

Mitä haittaa sinulle on siitä, että yksittäinen rakennus on rakennettu kestävästi ja sertifioidusta puusta? Minusta on hienoa, että Pääkkönen ym. rahoittajat ja suunnittelijat näkevät ympäristön tärkeäksi asiaksi, sillä heillä on keinoja ja pääomaa tehdä asian eteen jotain. Se ei ole sinulta, eikä keneltäkään muultakaan pois.

[@eedesign878]

@@etikkakurkku Hyvä että sait kilpesi kiillotettua näin internetkommentin myötä. Älä unohda lisäksi ruoskia itseäsi iltaisin koska olet etuoikeutettu valkoinen.

[@ulitkabob7567]

Меня дизайн напугал. Напоминает ГУЛАГ.. Очень жуткий и мрачный, чем дизайнеры вдохновлялись?

[@phm19880]

I understand u completely. As an Finn i can confirm that lot of this, nowadays so popular "Nordic/scandinavian style", that is simple, kinda cold, natural etc etc, in my view overlapping in many ways with Gulags and also Soviet style neighborhoods etc. But i am not expert about latter or design or architechs. It is just my layman opinion..

[@juhaleskinen7383]

Remember this video is about Helsinki and Löyly, it has nothing to do with whole culture about Finland or it is whole Finland. Helsinki is not whole Finland.

[@user-ce6iy2nw5o]

"nordic" there's nothing nordic about sauna. sauna is a finnish an baltic cultural element. it has nothing to do with scandinavian countries

[@iv1223]

Finland is a nordic country and nothing was said about scandinavian countries.

[@user-ce6iy2nw5o]

@@iv1223 Did i say anything about scandinavia having been mentioned? nordic means nothing. If something is finnish, it doesnt make it nordic, meaning it has nothing to do with scandinavia

[@arskaaro]

Sauna is also very popular in northern parts of sweden and norway

[@jdarmstrong29]

How far up one's own .... does one have to be to think this glass, concrete, and steel structure "blends in with nature"? Have you SEEN nature recently?

[@DarrenTaing]

It makes sense to me, Finnish nature is very rocky and covered in snow most of the year and it looks just like a large rock structure

[@bushman6964]

@el060248 yeah the ice age brought a lot of rocks to the surface. Not everywhere obviously but some parts especially in the east and north are very rocky.

[@blakedesmond]

Designed to blend in with a frozen wasteland.

[@matiaskomi7748]

would advice you to research how beautiful the archipelago actually is.

[@ericcarabetta1161]

I do not understand the appeal of saunas at ALL. I can't stand being hot and sweaty, it's baffling so many people willingly do this all the time.

[@rakimon]

It's healthy

[@alejammi]

That's like saying I don't know why people like running. You get all Hot, sweaty and sore. Baffling

[@ericcarabetta1161]

@@alejammi, exactly, who runs on purpose?

[@aeyuio2315]

The point is that you are cleaner AFTER the sauna. When you sweat all the sweat & dirt out in the sauna, and rinse yourself with water, your skin is very, very clean afterwards. If you have never done 3 rounds of sauna + swimming / shower, you don't even really know what "clean skin" really feels like.

[@ericcarabetta1161]

@@aeyuio2315, that sounds miserable. I'm going to stick with soap.

[@phillsimpson456]

These two couldn't get anymore Finnish.

[@bombaya85]

Almost $500 for two hours!? Are you out of your mind!? Edit: These prices are for private group sauna of up to ten people.

[@kristie979]

Twice a week for the whole family 😅 yeah no worries

[@johan.mp4]

Wrong. More like $25.

[@stagglee]

not close to being that expensive, but it's definitely pricier than any of the standard public saunas in helsinki

[@aeyuio2315]

@@kristie979 It is actually 23€ per person, you get 2 hours. It is the most expensive sauna in Helsinki. There are also free saunas in Helsinki, but of course they are much, much more "crappier". The city-owned public swimming halls also have multiple saunas (every one has multiple in them), and they cost 5,80€ for an adult -- 3,20 for kids.

[@suzawilo]

Obviously you pay for the experience. If my disability allowed me to travel to the capital and would have the emotional well-being to expose myself, would definitely pay for all that is to be experienced.