A 180sq m (1,938sq ft) public sauna, billed as the world’s largest, has opened on a remote beach on an island in the Norwegian Arctic Circle as part of a cultural programme of art and music.
Jointly built by Norway-based Rintala Eggertsson Architects and artist and designer Joar Nango, the glass-fronted Agora Sauna holds more than 100 people and looks out onto the Arctic Sea, offering views of the mountainous seascape. It also features its own bar.
Norwegian musician and recording artist Biosphere has also created a specially commissioned ambient soundtrack, called Polar Low, which is installed in the sauna.
Located in Sandhornoya, the Agora Sauna is part of a unique, moveable cultural platform called SALT, which aims to bring together art, architecture, music and food in the Arctic landscape. The amphitheatre-style seating of the sauna means the space will also be used for a programme of events, including talks and performances.
Each of the structures in SALT has an architectural design inspired by traditional Norwegian fiskehjeller, or fish racks, used by the nomadic communities of the Arctic. A Naustet & Lanternen building houses a restaurant and bar that serves locally sourced, seasonal food.
Mobile tents, called Njalla, were also designed by Nango, and guests are encouraged to drag them around the beach to find the perfect spot to set up camp for the night. Priced from £155 (US$241, €222) each Njalla includes a wood burner as well as a glass ceiling, in order to enjoy the Northern Lights in the sky.
Traditional camping is also allowed, with special areas for caravans and tents, and a service building, Pepper, that features showers and toilet facilities.
Originally designed as a temporary project, the sauna and SALT project will likely remain in Sandhornoyha until September 2016, with opening dates and times seasonal and slightly weather dependent.
Ultimately, the entire project will travel to different areas in the northernmost parts of the world, making stops in Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Ireland, Scotland, Spitsbergen and Alaska.
