A short story: choosing your place in the heat
There is a moment in an AITO sauna when you realize that the experience is yours to shape. You step inside, feel the warmth settle on your skin, and choose where you want to sit: higher up on the top bench, where the löyly is hotter and more intense – or slightly lower, where the heat is softer and gentler, letting you stay longer, breathing slowly as the steam rises.
The design is calm and intentional. The wood holds warmth in a way that feels natural and alive. When water meets the stones, the steam doesn’t shock – it moves like a wave, surrounding you evenly, bringing clarity to the mind and ease to the body. Outside, the world continues. Inside, time slows down.
This is what Finnish sauna is meant to be: not just heat, but balance – and above all, true löyly.
AITO Sauna: founded to bring real Finnish sauna to the world
AITO Sauna was founded in 2021 with a clear ambition: to bring Finnish sauna culture to international audiences in a way that feels genuinely authentic. One of the founders is Finnish actor and sauna ambassador Jasper Pääkkönen, and the core idea behind AITO Sauna was simple but ambitious: if Finnish sauna is spreading globally, it should be done properly – with spaces where people can truly experience excellent sauna heat and löyly, not an imitation.
The name AITO means genuine in Finnish, and it reflects the heart of the company: authenticity, craftsmanship, and the belief that sauna is a cultural practice worth respecting.
The Finnish sauna situation today – and changing trends
In Finland, sauna has never been a trend – it is a way of life. But in recent years, sauna culture has gained stronger visibility both in Finland and abroad through modern wellbeing movements and a deeper focus on recovery, mental calm, and meaningful rituals.
The last few years have brought noticeable shifts:
- Sauna is increasingly connected with holistic wellbeing, stress management, and recovery
- Sauna paired with cold plunges
- People are seeking authentic sauna experiences, especially the true sensation of löyly
- Design and architecture play a larger role: sauna is no longer hidden, but showcased
- Outdoor and modular saunas are growing in popularity – bringing sauna closer to nature, even in urban environments
Finnish sauna culture remains rooted in tradition, yet it continues to evolve with modern needs – and AITO Sauna is part of this evolution.
Our mission
AITO Sauna’s mission is to make authentic Finnish sauna accessible globally:
To deliver the true Finnish sauna experience – with exceptional löyly, thoughtful design and craftsmanship – wherever people want to sauna.
We believe sauna is one of the most powerful wellbeing rituals in the world. When done right, it is restorative, social, and grounding – a place where people reconnect with themselves and each other.
Our brand: design, authenticity, and durability
AITO Sauna combines Finnish authenticity with contemporary Nordic architecture. The brand stands for:
- Genuine sauna culture, where löyly is central
- Architectural design, with minimalist, calming spaces
- High-quality materials, chosen for longevity and atmosphere
- Long-lasting design, built into both structure and aesthetics
AITO Sauna isn’t just designed to look good – it is designed to feel right. Every detail supports the sauna ritual: the layout, the bench heights, the airflow, and the material choices.
Designed by Avanto Architects – the team behind Löyly
AITO Sauna has been designed by Avanto Architects, Finnish architects Ville Hara and Anu Puustinen, the same visionary team behind Löyly Helsinki, one of the most internationally recognized sauna and restaurant destinations in Finland.
This design heritage is visible in every AITO sauna: the architectural clarity, the respect for nature, and the ability to combine tradition with modern life. Avanto’s work has helped shape how the world views Finnish sauna culture today – and AITO Sauna builds on that legacy.
Modular outdoor saunas built from solid CLT
AITO Sauna specializes in modular outdoor saunas, designed for both private and public use. The saunas are crafted from solid cross-laminated timber (CLT) – a durable, stable, and long-lasting construction material that brings a distinct atmosphere to the sauna space.
Building with solid CLT adds something essential: a sense of quietness, strength, and warmth that can be felt. The wood regulates and holds heat naturally, creating a steady, comfortable sauna climate and supporting an even, high-quality löyly experience.
The modular approach also makes AITO Sauna adaptable – allowing high-quality sauna spaces to be delivered efficiently to different environments, from seaside terraces to private gardens and hospitality destinations.
AITO Sauna in public use: Löyly terrace sauna
One of the most visible AITO saunas is located at Löyly Helsinki, where an AITO Sauna is in daily public use on the terrace. With up to 800 customers per day, it is one of the strongest real-world demonstrations of what AITO Sauna stands for: design that lasts, and a sauna experience that people actively seek out.
Public saunas require durability, maintenance-friendly solutions, and consistent performance – and this site proves that AITO Sauna delivers all three, while still feeling calm and premium.
Where we work and who we serve
AITO Sauna’s modular outdoor saunas are ideal for a wide range of customers, including:
- private homeowners and summer cottage owners
- hospitality and hotel destinations
- spas and wellbeing retreats
- public sauna operators
- architects and design-led construction projects
Whether the sauna is built for one family or for hundreds of visitors per day, the goal remains the same: true Finnish sauna, with exceptional löyly and timeless design.
Most interesting projects
AITO Sauna’s most interesting projects are those where sauna becomes a true experience destination – and where Finnish authenticity is not only present, but deeply valued.
One of the most visible examples is the AITO Sauna located at Löyly Helsinki, where it is in daily public use on the terrace. With up to 800 customers per day, it is a powerful real-world demonstration of AITO Sauna’s durability and performance – designed to meet the demands of public use while still delivering a calm, premium atmosphere and genuinely Finnish löyly.
At the same time, AITO Sauna has found an audience in places where wellbeing is becoming part of high performance. In the United States, several top professional athletes and Hollywood actors have chosen AITO Sauna for their private use – drawn to the combination of authentic Finnish sauna culture, architectural design, and the kind of heat and steam that supports recovery and mental clarity.
These projects show the range of AITO Sauna’s reach: from a public urban sauna in Helsinki to private wellness spaces at the highest level internationally – always built around the same idea: true Finnish sauna, done properly.
The next five years: growing globally, staying authentic
Over the next five years, AITO Sauna aims to expand its presence internationally while staying deeply connected to Finnish sauna culture. The demand for authentic sauna experiences is rising – but authenticity requires knowledge, craftsmanship, and respect for tradition.
AITO Sauna’s next steps include:
- expanding into international markets where high-quality sauna culture is emerging
- deepening collaborations with architects, hotels, and wellness destinations
- refining modular solutions while keeping the experience authentic
- continuing to lead in long-lasting materials and design
- educating customers about real Finnish sauna culture, etiquette, and the art of löyly
The goal isn’t growth for growth’s sake – it’s to ensure that as sauna spreads worldwide, the best version of Finnish sauna goes with it.
Beyond products: protecting the Finnish sauna experience
Finnish sauna is not just a product – it is a cultural ritual. AITO Sauna is part of a movement that brings Finnish sauna into global visibility, and with that comes responsibility: to protect the meaning of sauna, and to share it in its most genuine form.
In every AITO Sauna, the intention remains the same:
to create a place where people can slow down, breathe, and experience the warmth – not as a trend, but as something timeless.
Text by AITO Sauna
