The design of the Russian banya (sauna) is about an intimate and introvert building that offers a calm place for introspection and relaxation. The construction is built out of massive 4”x4” wood beams that are stacked in a interwoven system (laft). The “laft” layers are connected by a metal rod in all four corners, that presses the layers together. The beams are held in place horizontally with 21mm wooden dowels, no glue is used. The bench beams are integrated in the structure, resting on the wall beams as well as each other, with detachable hand-crafted aspen frames for seating. The end wood of all the structural elements are shown on the facade, creating a pattern.

This design results in a disassemblable structure that can get relocated after its time in Nyhavna. All the elements were pre-cut and then transported to the platform where they were put together in rough weather conditions. Light gets into the building through tinted glass bricks. The glass bricks are the height of two beams, thus integrating them to the structure of the wall. These very small openings enhance the introvert nature of the building and allow the water to reflect in them, creating moving lights on the interior.