Your client wants a sauna in their outdoor space. How do you make it feel like it was always part of the plan?
As sauna becomes an increasingly sought-after feature in luxury residential and commercial landscapes, architects and designers are faced with new considerations. Where should it go? How does it relate to the surrounding architecture? And how do you create an experience that extends beyond the hot room?
We recently sat down with Travis Van Liere, landscape architect and founder of Minneapolis-based TVLS Studio, and Cedar & Stone Co-Founder Justin Juntunen to explore what it takes to thoughtfully integrate sauna into the landscape.
Drawing on decades of design experience and projects they’ve collaborated on, Travis and Justin shared practical insights for architects, landscape architects, and design professionals.
Watch the full conversation below, or explore a few highlights.
Let the Landscape Guide the Design
Every site presents different opportunities. From expansive lakefront properties to compact urban backyards, Travis encourages designers to begin by understanding the land, architecture, and intended use of the space.
During the conversation, he shares two remarkable projects: a lakeside sauna nestled into a wooded hillside and a South Minneapolis residence where a sauna, hot tub, and rooftop gardens come together on a remarkably small lot.
Both demonstrate how thoughtful design can make a sauna feel like a natural extension of its surroundings.
Consider the Entire Sauna Experience
Designing with sauna means thinking beyond the structure itself.
Where will guests cool down? How will they move between the sauna and cold plunge? What views, privacy, and protection from the elements will make the space inviting throughout the year?
Justin and Travis explore how the full thermic cycle of heat, cold, rest, and repeat can inform the landscape design, creating opportunities for gathering, solitude, and connection with nature.
They also challenge the assumption that convenience should always drive placement. Sometimes the journey to the sauna becomes a meaningful part of the experience.
Bring Sauna Specialists Into the Design Process Early
A beautiful design still needs to work in practice.
From site access and foundations to structural requirements and installation, incorporating sauna requires coordination between design professionals, builders, and specialized fabricators.
“I think the more collaboration, the more conversations you can have, I think that helps make it a successful project.”
Justin and Travis discuss how involving specialists early helps designers navigate technical challenges while protecting the original vision through construction.
Watch the Full Conversation
There’s much more to explore, including rooftop sauna installations, designing for small spaces, material longevity, and the role of landscape architecture in creating outdoor spaces people return to for decades.
Watch A Landscape Architect’s Guide to Designing with Sauna to hear the full conversation and see the projects that inspired it.
Designing a Project with Sauna? Let’s Work Together.
The best sauna projects begin with a conversation early in the design process.
At Cedar & Stone, we partner with landscape architects, architects, builders, and developers to integrate sauna into thoughtfully designed residential and commercial spaces. Whether you’re incorporating one of our standard models into a larger landscape plan or envisioning something entirely custom, our team brings specialized sauna expertise to the table.
We can help navigate the technical details, from heating and ventilation to material selection, site preparation, and installation, while collaborating with your team to preserve the design intent.
We love working with professionals who care deeply about the spaces they create, and we’re always excited to see what becomes possible when great designers and experienced sauna builders work together.
