Giant Arctic beach sauna by Rintala Eggertsson Architects is part of the SALT cultural programme [PHOTOS]
by Jane Kitchen | 20 Jul 2015
A sauna – billed as the world’s largest at 180sq m (1,938sq ft) – has opened on a remote Norwegian beach on an island in the Arctic Circle as part of a cultural programme of art and music.
Jointly built by Norway-based Rintala Eggertsson Architects and artist and designer Joar Nango, the glass-fronted Agora Sauna holds more than 100 people and looks out onto the Arctic Sea, offering views of the mountainous seascape. It also features its own bar.
Norwegian musician and recording artist Biosphere has created a specially commissioned ambient soundtrack, called Polar Low, which is installed in the sauna.
Located in Sandhornoya, the Agora Sauna is part of a unique, moveable cultural platform called SALT, which aims to bring together art, architecture, music and food in the Arctic landscape. The amphitheatre-style seating of the sauna means the space will also be used for a programme of events, including talks and performances.
Each of the structures in SALT has an architectural design inspired by traditional Norwegian fiskehjeller, or fish racks, which are used by nomadic communities in the Arctic. A Naustet & Lanternen building houses a restaurant and bar that serves locally sourced, seasonal food.
Mobile tents, called Njalla, were also designed by Nango, and guests are encouraged to drag them around the beach to find the perfect spot to set up camp for the night. Priced from £155 (US$241, €222) each Njalla includes a wood burner as well as a glass ceiling, in order to enjoy the Northern Lights.
Traditional camping is also allowed, with special areas for caravans and tents, and a service building with showers and toilet facilities.
Originally designed as a temporary project, the sauna and SALT project are likely to remain in Sandhornoyha until September 2016, with opening dates and times seasonal- and weather-dependent.
Ultimately, the entire project will travel to different areas in the northernmost parts of the world, making stops in Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Ireland, Scotland, Spitsbergen and Alaska.
The sauna is part of a cultural programme of art and music
Credit: Salt Sauna, Bodø, Norway, (c) Martin Losvik, courtesy salted.no
Each of the structures in SALT has an architectural design inspired by traditional Norwegian fiskehjeller, or fish racks Credit: Salt Sauna, Bodø, Norway, (c) Martin Losvik, courtesy salted.no
The amphitheatre-style seating of the sauna means the space will also be used for a programme of events Credit: Salt Sauna, Bodø, Norway, (c) Martin Losvik, courtesy salted.no
The glass-fronted Agora Sauna holds more than 100 people and looks out onto the Arctic Sea Credit: Salt Sauna, Bodø, Norway, (c) Gunnar Holmstad, courtesy salted.no
A sauna – billed as the world’s largest at 180sq m (1,938sq ft) – has opened on a remote Norwegian beach on an island in the Arctic Circle as part of a cultural programme of art and music. Jointly built by Norway-based Rintala Eggertsson Architects and artist and designer Joar Nango, the glass-fronted Agora Sauna holds more than 100 people and looks out onto the Arctic Sea, offering views of
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