Tucked under a home in Bellevue Hill, this traditional sauna is the centrepiece of a small wellness retreat. We framed the entrance with a curved arch and custom bronze glass, so the sauna sits naturally in the space and glows warmly through the glass.
Inside, Western Red Cedar lines the walls, ceiling and benches, with warm LED lighting behind the backrest and under the top bench. A Harvia 11 kW heater with a Wi-Fi controller brings the room up to temperature quickly and lets the owners start it from their phone. We’re super happy with how this one turned out.
The arched entrance looks simple from the outside, but it took careful work. Every bench, backrest and lining board meeting the archway was cut and fitted by hand so the cedar follows the curve cleanly.
A custom bronze glass front closes the arch, keeping the view into the sauna while holding the heat in. The cedar framing around the glass ties the sauna back into the soft, rendered walls of the retreat.
Building under a house brings its own challenges. The space has a negative waterproofing membrane, so every fixing was sealed with Sikaflex to protect it. Airflow matters below ground too, so we installed a mechanical inline exhaust fan to keep fresh air moving through the sauna. We also kept the existing window. It adds natural light and character, and it helps with airflow.
The result is a sauna that fits this small wellness retreat perfectly, and one we’re really proud of.
