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Article
Architecture
Form, volume and relationship to the site — architecture that meets the landscape
Design foundation
Inspiration from Finland
At the start of the LYKKE project we thoroughly studied Finnish sauna architecture and tradition. We read classic works on how the Finns — who are the world's experts on saunas — have built and thought about these buildings for over a hundred years.
From these books we learned that a good sauna is not about luxurious details, but about:
- •The proportions between width, length and height
- •How air should flow and heat should be distributed
- •The role of materials in creating a safe and authentic experience
- •Minimalist philosophy — less is more
This knowledge from Finland, combined with Norwegian and Scandinavian architecture, formed the basis for our approach. That is why every detail in LYKKE saunas — from volume and proportions to material choices — is deliberately considered.
The experience
Löyly — the heart of the sauna experience
Löyly is the Finnish word for the magical experience of heat, steam and light in an authentic sauna. It is not just the temperature — it is how the heat flows, how the steam forms, and how the architecture around you influences that experience.
A well-designed sauna creates optimal löyly through:
- •Correct volume and height — Heat should flow naturally upward from the heat source
- •Bench placement — Where you sit determines the temperature experience and your contact with the heat
- •Light openings — Natural light through small windows creates an intimate atmosphere
- •Material choices — Wood must withstand moisture and heat without releasing toxic substances
Löyly is about architecture serving the experience — not the other way around. That is why we are meticulous about proportions, material choices and details.
Löyly in practice
When you pour water on the stones in a LYKKE sauna, the steam should rise softly and fill the room with radiant heat — not scorching air or harsh chemicals. That is the result of everything — from the volume to the bench material — being designed to create authentic löyly.
Essential accessories
Welcome Pack. Holy Löyly. By LYKKE.
At LYKKE we believe the real sauna experience does not begin with the temperature, but with the ritual. When we designed our saunas, we decided that every model must be equipped with a Welcome Pack from LYKKE Holy Löyly. Without it, what matters most does not happen — Löyly. It is not an add-on. It is the foundation. And it comes completely free with every sauna.
In the set you will find everything you need to create ideal conditions for a complete sauna session:
- •
Elegant bucket
For preparing the water to be poured on the stones
- •
Functional ladle
Ergonomic and lightweight, for precise dosing of water
- •
Thermohygrometer
For monitoring the temperature and humidity in the sauna
- •
Hourglass
So that time in the sauna flows calmly and sessions are balanced
All elements are made of high-quality wood and durable material that withstands temperatures and moisture — so they serve you for years. The entire design harmonises naturally with the interior of a modern LYKKE sauna.
Choose your favourite colour
Chocolate
Terrakotta
We have prepared two variants of the Welcome Pack Holy Löyly to choose from — classic Chocolate or warm Terracotta. Both colours harmonise perfectly with modern and traditional sauna interiors.
The ritual of Löyly
When you pour water on the stones in a LYKKE sauna equipped with the Welcome Pack, the steam should rise softly and fill the room with thermal energy — not scorching air or chemical vapours. This is the result of everything — from the volume to the materials — being designed to create authentic löyly. The Welcome Pack gives you the tools to make this ritual complete and real.
Form meets
the landscape
A sauna never stands entirely alone. It is read together with the terrain, the light and the nature around it. Architecture is not about one fixed answer, but about how the building can adapt to the site where it will stand.
The choice of form, volume and placement determines how the sauna is experienced — both from the inside and from the surroundings.
Proportions
A sauna needs the right relationship between height, width and length. This affects both functionality and aesthetics.
Site placement
Where the sauna is situated determines its relationship to the house, the view and how the sun moves around the building throughout the year.
Relationship to terrain
A building that follows the natural forms of the terrain works better and looks more natural than one that "floats above" the landscape.
Light and openings
How many windows and where they are placed controls the experience inside the sauna — both daylight and views.
Materiality
The choice of material on facade and roof affects how the building is experienced and how it dialogues with the surroundings.
Three principles
We work according to three architectural principles: that the sauna should appear as a clear volume, that it should respect the terrain's topography, and that the materials should speak the same language as the surrounding landscape.
There is not one answer that fits every location. Each site has its own characteristics — and each sauna must find its form in relation to them.