Step inside Nashville’s first sauna and cold plunge studio, Framework. Recently, they unveiled their new Wedgewood-Houston location, which is now open to the public. The studio features seven beautifully designed saunas—each with its own character and purpose—thirteen cold plunge tubs throughout, including indoor and outdoor options, and a well-stocked cafe.
Founder Allen Penn’s vision was simple—help others integrate hot and cold therapies into daily life, and foster meaningful connections along the way. But getting there was a story in itself.
“Our bodies are far more evolved and adapted to significant temperature swings…than the constant 72-degree environment we’re used to.” – Allen Penn
From using the gym sauna as a high school basketball player and freezing Ironman swims in Lake Michigan to bonding with friends in Japanese onsen and learning about cold plunge in a pool at the base of Machu Picchu— his travels through Finland and Japan solidified the intrinsic connection between hot springs (onsen), dry sauna, and the social rituals born from both communal workouts.
Allen highlights, “In the case of hot and cold, there are 50,000 years of human history for us to learn from…Our bodies are far more evolved and adapted to significant temperature swings across the day and the year than the constant 72-degree environment we’re used to. We say, ‘Let’s practice what our bodies have evolved to handle.’”
It was Finland’s deep connection to sauna that truly resonated. There, Penn saw firsthand how heat wasn’t just about recovery—it was about community, ritual, and presence.
Designing the Contrast Studio with Cedar & Stone Nordic Sauna
To design a space that honored this history while meeting the needs of a modern health space, Framework partnered with Cedar & Stone Nordic Sauna. A team that lives and breathes sauna culture, Cedar & Stone blends Finnish heritage with modern craftsmanship, sustainable materials, and a deep understanding of how people interact with heat in a space.
“It was clear from my first conversation…that not only did the Cedar & Stone team know how to build beautiful, unique, high-performing saunas but they also deeply understood the member experience that I wanted to design.” – Allen Penn
With hands-on experience operating guided sauna experiences in both Duluth and Minneapolis, Cedar & Stone was able to help Allen Penn thoughtfully curate seven distinct sauna spaces—each designed for both function and beauty. Among them was an outdoor sauna, which served as a pop-up location during construction, offering guests an early glimpse into the transformative power of hot and cold.
“It was clear from my first conversation with Justin that not only did he and the Cedar & Stone team know how to build beautiful, unique, high-performing saunas but they also deeply understood the member experience that I wanted to design into the heart of Framework.” — Allen Penn, Founder of Framework
Together, Framework and Cedar & Stone have created a space with a natural flow—from heat to cold, from indoors to outdoors—designed to suit varying levels of social engagement and personal exploration. Each sauna and plunge is an invitation to slow down, reconnect, and embrace the healing power of contrast therapy.
Justin Juntunen, Cedar and Stone Co-Founder and CEO reflected, “I love when people come with vision and want to get to know the people they’re going to work with. Allen spent some time with us in Duluth and we shared a sauna and cold plunge experience, walked through our design studio, and really began to sketch what could be possible.”
“Framework serves as a model for thermic bathing facilities in North America in the 21st-century.” – Justin Juntunen
“Today, that vision is a reality, and his ability to see what was coming in the cultural future – from a N/A-driven cocktail bar to multiple sauna experiences that are both social and private, to the need for people to be both indoors and outdoors,” Juntunen commented, “Framework serves as a model for thermic bathing facilities in North America in the 21st-century.”
Join us for a firsthand look inside Framework’s studio and discover how each thoughtfully crafted sauna and cold plunge invites guests to move through a seamless flow of hot and cold—integrating exposure therapy into their personal routine in a space designed for connection and renewal.
An Indoor & Outdoor Experience
At the heart of Framework’s design is the core area, the studio’s main indoor gathering space, featuring two large indoor saunas and multiple cold plunge tubs. Here, guests can choose between a lively, social sauna or a silent, meditative heat experience—both crafted to provide high-quality, consistent heat with a variety of Harvia and IKI sauna stoves.
Stepping outside, the patio expands the experience into the open air. A bespoke outdoor sauna for 8-10 people sits alongside cold tubs and comfortable lounge seating, creating a natural rhythm between heat, cold, and rest. Designed to mirror the fresh-air contrast bathing traditions of Finland and Japan, this space encourages guests to soak in fresh air, reset between rounds, and immerse themselves fully in the exposure experience.
Whether indoors or outdoors, the flow is intuitive—guests move seamlessly between sauna, plunge, and rest, allowing their bodies to adapt and recover naturally.
Private Rooms: A More Intimate Experience
For those looking for a more personalized or quiet experience, Framework offers private sauna and cold plunge rooms, accommodating up to four guests. Each space is designed for uninterrupted relaxation, featuring:
- A private sauna for an exclusive heat experience
- A dedicated cold plunge tub for contrast therapy
- A rinse shower for cooling between rounds
- A private lounge area to rest and rehydrate
- An exclusive beverage bar with hand-selected drinks only available to private-room guests
Structured as one-hour sessions, private rooms provide a quiet alternative to the communal energy of the main studio, making them ideal for focused recovery, deep relaxation, or shared experiences with close friends.
The Full Framework Experience
“Whether you’re trying to improve cardiovascular fitness, enhance strength and fitness recovery, boost longevity, or simply build healthy habits, regular sauna and cold plunge are simple practices with proven benefits—and Framework provides the convenient access to exposure that the people of Nashville need.” highlighted frequent patrion of Framework, Patrick Oswiak, MD.
Framework is rooted in global sauna traditions yet designed for modern life—making exposure therapy approachable, effective, and community-driven.
Here’s how the process works:
- Arrival & Check-In – Located in the heart of Wedgewood-Houston, Framework offers a seamless check-in process for guests.
- Choose Your Experience – Public sauna and plunge sessions or private room bookings for a more personalized visit.
- Preparation – Locker rooms provide space to change, shower, and store belongings.
- Sauna & Cold Plunge –
- Three distinct public sauna experiences: silent, social, and outdoor
- Four private saunas for personalized sessions
- Guests can move at their own pace or opt for guided exposure therapy sessions.
- Repeat as Desired – Most guests complete 2-4 rounds, listening to their body and adjusting as needed.
Understanding the sauna is a place capable of holding space for a wide array of human emotions, Framework’s design allows you to tailor the experience to your specific needs.
Experience Enhancements
The Café
Framework’s second floor houses a curated café, featuring a selection of non-alcoholic beverages and snacks to support pre- and post-session rituals. From electrolyte-rich drinks to functional beverages that enhance recovery, this space encourages guests to extend their experience beyond the sauna.
Locker Rooms & Amenities
Thoughtfully designed locker rooms ensure a quick transition from session to street, offering full showers, premium toiletries, and storage for personal belongings.
Programming & Classes
For those seeking a structured approach, Framework offers guided experiences, including:
- Sweat, Shiver, Socialize – A traditional sauna and cold plunge routine
- Guided Sweat, Shiver, Socialize – An instructor-led session incorporating breathwork and exposure techniques
- Framework Fitness – Contrast therapy designed to enhance recovery after structured workouts
Create a Space to Serve Your Community
Framework is a prime example of how intentional sauna and cold plunge design can transform a wellness space. But it’s just one of many possibilities.
At Cedar & Stone Nordic Sauna, our expert team of designers, architects, consultants, and craftspeople are shaping the future of thermic bathing across North America. From immaculate bathhouses to floating saunas to mobile sauna fleets, we help businesses bring more sauna experiences to more communities.
We work with you from vision to funding, from design to operations, turning ideas into beautifully crafted, functional wellness spaces. Whether you’re dreaming of a boutique studio, an expansive bathhouse, or a unique mobile sauna concept, our team is here to help you build something extraordinary.
Connect with our design team today to start the conversation.
Head to Nashville
Framework isn’t just a studio—it’s a carefully designed space where heat and cold meet with purpose. With seven distinct sauna spaces, a seamless indoor-to-outdoor flow, and options for both social and private sessions, every guest can explore exposure therapy in a way that suits them best.
Come experience the life-changing power of hot and cold, explore the human-centered design of Cedar & Stone-crafted saunas, and find your rhythm at Framework.
