Grid Architektur ZT GmbH

Rocky Knob Sauna in United States

Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
© Brycen Fischer Photography

ROCKY KNOB SAUNA

GriD Architects

ARCHITECTS
GriD Architects

YEAR
2020

MANUFACTURERS
Alt Welding, Bill's Portable Welding, Elemental Metalworks, MF Fire, MillerMetal Fabrication

SELECT FURNITURE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION CONSILTANT
Ed Leedy

AREA
67 ft²

CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORS
Adam Read

LOCATION
Upper Tract, United States

CATEGORY
Sauna

Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
© Brycen Fischer Photography
Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
© Brycen Fischer Photography

On a remote mountain farm, a series of rudimentary saunas had been constructed since the late 1970s, each iteration advancing in relative permanence. Unfortunately, the last utilitarian iteration burned to ashes a quarter-century after the first.

Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
Rocky Knob Sauna in United States

For 15 years the site lay dormant, setting the stage for another generation to resurrect the spiritual sanctuary.

This time the project was reimagined as research is driven design/build; blending students, professionals, and craftsmen, exploring time-tested construction techniques as well as new methodologies.

Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
© Brycen Fischer Photography
Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
© Brycen Fischer Photography

The team also researched sauna traditions throughout human history, the results of which directly influenced the design, abstractly referencing historic traditions while embracing regional farm vernacular.

While an asset conceptually, the saunas remoteness was also a primary challenge surrounding the teams' 10-day sojourn to construct it.

Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
© Brycen Fischer Photography
Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
© Brycen Fischer Photography
Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
© Brycen Fischer Photography

Logistical complexities included getting materials and supplies to the property as well as physically working at the site which sits at the edge of a small pond.

Without access to heavy machinery, all aspects of the work were completed manually or with small power tools.

While intentionally small and handcrafted, major components of the design required considerable technical expertise and construction capability, much of which was learned by the team on-site.

Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
© Brycen Fischer Photography
Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
© Brycen Fischer Photography
Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
© Brycen Fischer Photography

This project is truly off-the-grid, naturally lit by the circadian rhythms of the sun and moon. Heat is maintained using both active and passive techniques that blend a robustly insulated building envelope and a small, high-efficiency wood-burning stove.

The stove itself was created in a similar design/build manner, having been the grand prize winner of the U.S. Department of Natural Resources Next Generation Wood Stove Design Challenge.

Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
© Brycen Fischer Photography
Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
© Brycen Fischer Photography

The siting is purposeful, with the new structure located directly on the remnants of scorched earth where the previous sauna structures once stood.

By reusing the original footprint, the new structure limited disturbance to the natural environment while being deferential to the history of the place.

Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
© Brycen Fischer Photography
Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
© Brycen Fischer Photography

Furthermore, the south-facing fully glazed wall, created using a reclaimed shower door, is shaded from mid-day sun by a deep overhang.

Rough-cut lumber was repurposed from earlier structures on the property, used extensively for the exterior cladding, interior walls, and both interior and exterior benches.

Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
© Brycen Fischer Photography
Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
© Brycen Fischer Photography

Even the new dimensional lumber used to cast the board-formed concrete was repurposed as rough framing.

The cladding was charred on-site to avoid petroleum / chemical-based finishes.

Rocky Knob Sauna in United States


Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
© Brycen Fischer Photography
Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
© Brycen Fischer Photography
Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
© Brycen Fischer Photography
Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
© Brycen Fischer Photography


Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
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Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
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Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
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Rocky Knob Sauna in United States
Typologies

Grid Architektur ZT GmbH
T +43 192 53196
Grid Architektur ZT GmbH
Hammer-Purgstall-Gasse 5/4 A – 1020 Wien, Austria