Swedish duo design sauna encased in giant golden egg
by Kim Megson | 09 May 2017
– Bigert & Bergström
Residents of Sweden’s northernmost town can now relax in a rather unique type of sauna: a sculptural chamber encased within a giant golden egg.
Designed by art and design duo Bigert & Bergström, Solar Egg is conceived as a social art work in which the people of Kiruna can meet and discuss the challenges facing their community.
The town is being completely relocated so that mining company LKAB can extract more of the valuable iron seam that lies below its current location.
While iron ore is vital to the survival of Kiruna, which was founded in the 19th century to supply another nearby mine, the move has sparked debate. The artists believe their egg can bring people together, as the sauna occupies a symbolic position in Lapland culture as a room for warmth and reflection.
Solar Egg is made out of stainless golden mirror sheeting and has a multifaceted form that breaks up the surroundings that it reflects into a multiplicity of different mirror images.
“Landscape, mine, town, sky, sun and snow are here combined into a fragmented image that can evoke associations with the complexity spanned by today’s discussion about climate and sustainable community development,” said the artists in a statement.
“We have developed a sculptural symbol that prompts thoughts of rebirth and an incubator that nurtures conversation and exchanges of ideas.”
The interior is formed out of wood, with the wall panels and floor decking made out of pine and aspen. A wood-heated, heart-shaped sauna stove made from iron and stone features at the heart of the egg, and maintains a temperature between 75° and 85° Celsius.
Sweden Bigert & Bergström Solar Egg sauna architecture design
The multifaceted form breaks up the surroundings that it reflects into a multiplicity of different mirror images Credit: Jean-Baptiste Béranger
Solar Egg is conceived as a social sculpture in which the people of Kiruna can meet and discuss the challenges facing their community Credit: Jean-Baptiste Béranger
A staircase leads to a chamber within Credit: Jean-Baptiste Béranger
Kiruna is being completely relocated so that mining company LKAB can extract more of the valuable iron seam that lies below its current location Credit: Jean-Baptiste Béranger
Residents of Sweden’s northernmost town can now relax in a rather unique type of sauna: a sculptural chamber encased within a giant golden egg. Designed by art and design duo Bigert & Bergström, Solar Egg is conceived as a social art work in which the people of Kiruna can meet and discuss the challenges facing their community. The town is being completely relocated so that mining company LKAB can extract
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