Floating Sauna Derby | Licht Architecture

On a lake in a small North East Tasmanian town there floats a sauna. Taking cues from Derby’s contrasting history of boom and bust (then fortunately boom again), two black and white gable sheds sit quietly against the dramatic backdrop of quarry cliffs and rainforest. The pontoon is connected to the shore by a small pedestrian bridge. One pavilion is a change room, the second is the sauna. The concept was influenced by the fixed parameters of the pontoon and glazing size. The design concept focused on the sensory experience and progression of privacy and containment.

The material choice reflects its function. The dark recessive burnt larch offers solitude and privacy for the sauna. In contrast, a light-filled changing pavilion casts subtle silhouettes of the users against the Ampelite cladding. The buildings float together in the landscape, offering a unique opportunity for isolation and relaxation.