Sauna from Finland annually selects the most experiential saunas at the Finnish housing fair- Asuntomessut. This year the prize went to the relaxation oases of Villa Havet, Villa Kruunu and Villa Sten.
Every year, the experts of the Sauna from Finland association familiarize themselves with the sauna offerings at Asuntomessut with real intent. As a result of the council’s work, three saunas are awarded with a special experiential sauna certificate.
At the housing fair in Loviisa, the saunas of Villa Havet, Villa Kruunu and Villa Sten received the award. The three award-winning sites have not been ranked, because they all highlight different aspects of the sauna experience.
Reasons for the different stages of the sauna path
In their work, the jury of Sauna from Finland evaluates the different parts of the sauna path, i.e. the experience before the sauna, in the sauna and after the sauna. This year, the council’s attention was particularly focused on how the overall sauna experience desired by the residents is realized and how the privacy of saunas and cooling off is preserved.
The evaluation was based on the quality manual of the Authentic Finnish Sauna Experience, which presents the core values of the sauna experience created on the basis of years of research and the quality criteria derived from them.
The jury praises that they found saunas of many styles and creative use of materials in the housing fairs in Loviisa. The stories of the houses, the residents’ own lifestyle and the choices derived from these for the design of materials and spaces are the basis of a high-quality end result.
“At all destinations, the seascape is present in the overall experience. We can only imagine how good it feels to soak in your own sauna in different seasons, when the wonderful landscape lives with you. There would have been many saunas that could have been awarded, but the destinations that earned the award had a special spirit,” explains Sauna from Finland’s executive director Carita Harju.
The most experiential saunas at the Housing Fair awarded by Sauna from Finland:
Villa Sten (fair house number 11)
This sauna deserves praise for its unusual idea and execution. The sauna is located on the second floor of the house and its special feature is a large window that opens up to a wonderful view of the sea and the terrace. The jury especially praises the composition of the bathrooms and sauna. Taking a sauna in the family home is easy to make a part of everyday life. The platforms are beautiful and simple. You can cool down on the large covered terrace.
Villa Havet (fair house number 17)
The overall emphasis was on the lack of urgency, privacy and comprehensive relaxation of saunas all year round. The wood-burning stove, which can be heated from the side of the terrace, received praise from the board; before the sauna, you can enjoy a live fire directly from the hearth of the stove. The warm atmosphere of the sauna is a good contrast to the stone surfaces of the house. The overall relaxing experience is complemented by the coolness of the seawater, as the beach is intended to be open for swimming in winter. There is also a jacuzzi on the terrace. The sauna experience is crowned by the seascape before, during and after the sauna.
Villa Kruunu (fair house number 13)
At Villa Kruunu, the sauna experience is functional and beautiful at the same time. The seascape that opens up from the sauna’s decks is like a painting. The separate location of the sauna building on the edge of the plot and the traditional wood stove guarantee the atmosphere of a Finnish cabin sauna all year round. Access routes have been carefully thought out: you can cool off directly from the bathrooms, without going through the lounge. The sauna experience at Villa Kruunu stops, calms and makes you forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life. You can cool off on the terrace or take a dip in the sea. The pier will be completed after the fair.
The owners and builders of the most experiential saunas were awarded with honorary certificates and a Rentosauna sauna product package. Sauna from Finland and Asuntomessut in Loviisa congratulate the winners!
