A sauna in harmony with the archipelago

A marvelous mother–son project: a modern, timeless log sauna in the family’s island getaway

“In the sauna, I quiet down, even though I’m a big talker.” When Finnish television chef and cookbook author Sikke Sumari and her son Benjamin had their dream sauna built, her flair met his minimalist style. The result is a peaceful place to reflect and admire the sea, and Sikke plans to leave its architectural simplicity undecorated.

Author Jonna Kivilahti

Images Benjamin Ilmoni

January 29, 2025Lue suomeksi

Sikke Sumari’s sauna blends into the rocky shore.

Based on the site’s unique features and Sikke’s family’s wishes, architect Mathias Nyström created a cohesive design that utilized natural shapes to create the outdoor spaces and to define space. You can also read the architect’s interview at the end of the article!

Sikke on the seaside terrace under the pines.

“When I wake up here, I make my morning coffee and go for a swim. In the evenings, I settle down in the sauna and enjoy the surrounding nature,” Sikke says.

Sikke, how did you end up building an architect-designed sauna?

Our island getaway is an old fisherman’s homestead that my husband’s parents bought back in the day, and we already vacationed here when our children were young. Now it has passed down to our family. Alongside the main house and a summer room converted from a sheep barn, there was an old log sauna that had fallen into serious disrepair and no longer met the needs of three generations. The new sauna turned into a wonderful mother–son project: I covered the costs, and my son Benjamin, who is very interested in architecture, took charge of its look.

“The living room attached to the sauna has been a wonderful new space for us this summer,” says Sikke Sumari.

A few wooden chairs and a table by the window in the sauna living area.

“Because the sauna building is small, choosing furniture was challenging. We wanted just a few chairs and a table to enjoy a meal or do other activities. I found these lovely Norrgavel pieces online. Their ecological approach and their design aligned with our vision, so Benjamin approved as well,” Sikke says.

What is the atmosphere like?

The overall feel is deliberate and minimalist. The aesthetic extends to every element in the space, with each choice made thoughtfully. I’m very particular about furniture materials, textile colors, and sauna accessories. Our family agrees on the color palette—here on the island, we want it to be uncomplicated. We draw inspiration from the gray rock, along with the shades of wood and the forest floor. I don’t plan to add decorations; the architectural simplicity will prevail. Outside, everything is gray, blending with the natural rock.

A black fireplace next to the curtained bed.

“It’s wonderful to light the fireplace, read, and simply gaze at the sea,” Sikke says. The fireplace is by Contura. The bed is meant for lounging and reading since the family sleeps in the nearby main buildings. The linen textiles are from Lapuan Kankurit.

A compact kitchen in the sauna living room.

The family wanted a small kitchen in the living area, complete with a fridge and some counter space. It was carried out by Blau. There’s only a small induction cooktop; grills and other appliances are kept outdoors.

“Benjamin is a minimalist and very particular about his vision. My style is more exuberant, and I had to back down from some of my ideas, but after seeing the final result, I’m very pleased.”
Sikke Sumari

The wood-burning stove’s firebox opens onto the seaside terrace.

At the architect’s suggestion, the wood-burning sauna stove can be conveniently heated from outside. This solution saves space inside the sauna and keeps it cleaner. Plus, you can admire the fire while the sauna warms up.

Indoor spaces extend seamlessly onto the terraces.

The interior flows seamlessly outside. Architect Mathias Nyström designed varying outdoor areas so you can relax on the sunny south side, on the covered west and southwest side, or in the sheltered northwest corner depending on the weather.

Sikke, did the sauna fulfill your wishes?

We wanted an eco-friendly, modern structure that would blend naturally with the landscape. This was realized perfectly in architect Mathias Nyström’s design. Beyond the choice of wood types, the sense of spaciousness was a success in the architecture. The ceiling height adds space and airiness, making the rooms seem larger than they are. The steams in the sauna are soft and humid. I found it fascinating how we were able to combine our visions: Benjamin is a minimalist and very particular about his vision. My style is more exuberant, and I had to back down from some of my ideas, but after seeing the final result, I’m very pleased.

Sikke’s sauna with a panoramic window and alder benches.

“It’s important to have a window in a sauna—the bigger, the better. In the old sauna, the small window only showed the forest, but from this new one we have a magnificent, wide view of the sea,” says Sikke Sumari. The windows are by Skaala. The benches are made of alder.

An Iki stove stands before a panoramic window.

“A good sauna provides gentle steams. We’ve always used an Iki stove, and that’s what I wanted here, too.” The wood-burning stove is the Kivi-Iki SL.

What does the sauna mean to you?

Maybe calling it sacred is too much, but it’s definitely a place for quiet reflection and admiring the sea. Growing up in a single-family house, we had a weekly sauna routine. I’m not an intense sauna-goer or someone who throws a lot of water on the stove, but I love the silence in the sauna. I enjoy unwinding there alone, taking my time. That’s where I quiet down, even though I’m usually a big talker. I sauna at the end of the day, then head for a dip in the sea. After an evening sauna, I sleep well. It’s about the overall experience, not just the steam. This is truly the sauna of saunas, and I’m so happy we made it happen.

Heat-treated pine boards and log walls on the façade.

The heat-treated pine boards from Lunawood take on a lovely gray tone as they age. For contrast, part of the log walls has been treated to preserve the look of fresh-cut wood.

The exterior is a combination of hand-hewn logs and heat-treated boards.

“I prefer not to have too many fragrances in my sauna, especially since the newly constructed log building smells wonderful and fresh as is.”

Sikke Sumari’s sauna cabin in the Tammisaari archipelago measures 30 square meters.

“The ideal sauna is suitably small, visually calm, and offers gentle steam”

Architect Mathias Nyström from MNY Architects was involved from the start in Sikke and Benjamin’s project and greatly influenced the overall outcome.

Mathias, can you tell us about the material and color choices for the building?

We used several types of wood in the sauna building. The log frame is pine, and so are the interior ceilings, made with a faux-fluted panel. The exterior is a combination of hand-hewn logs and heat-treated boards. Outside, the hues are gray, blending with the rock. The roof is dark gray steel. For contrast, some of the log walls are treated so they retain a natural, freshly sawn look. The heat-treated Lunawood on the exterior ages beautifully into gray.

How did you decide on the interior color scheme and materials?

Inside, we wanted to highlight natural shades of fresh wood. Different wood types were chosen primarily for their specific properties, not just for appearance. For example, douglas fir handles moisture very well and is rot-resistant, which is why we chose it for the floor. Alder has low thermal conductivity, so it’s ideal for benches. At the same time, it has a pleasant aroma and a warm, reddish color that is perfect for a sauna.

Mathias, you’re known for innovative, contemporary architecture. How is that reflected in this building?

This sauna is architecturally modern despite its traditional log construction. The innovation lies in the layout and overall concept. It blends Sikke and Benjamin’s wishes with the site’s unique features, combined with massive wood construction suitable for the archipelago.

Sustainable, eco-friendly design and construction are also your hallmarks. How did that materialize in this project?

We only cleared the site as was necessary, preserving wonderful pine trees. We used many bio-based materials throughout. The frame by S-Trä is solid wood—single-piece logs rather than laminated ones—so little processing is required. We used wood-fiber insulation, and the gaps between the logs were filled with plastic-free flax insulation. We relied on tried-and-true log-building methods: protecting the log structure with extended eaves, board cladding, and metal sheeting where needed. For surface treatments, we used lye and natural oil-based products, used in traditional building practices.

What were your primary objectives for this design as an architect?

My goal was to meet and exceed the clients’ wishes. The concept was for the building to resemble a boulder and merge with the landscape. We also wanted an element of surprise in the sauna experience. It was important to extend the interior outdoors, creating a feeling of a space that is bigger and more versatile than its actual size. Another key point was having the sauna fire visible from multiple spots: on the terrace, inside, and from the rocks. The old sauna didn’t leverage the site’s best features, but now the rocky landscape and trees, together with the building, define the outdoor spaces and are echoed in the shapes of the building. We’ve opened up the views significantly compared to before, in new directions as well.

What do you think makes a good sauna?

For me, the ideal sauna is suitably small, visually calm, and offers gentle steam. A sauna is primarily for relaxation, and that’s enhanced by a soothing view. Sikke’s sauna really meets that goal.

Design & Decoration Sauna Construction Scandinavian Interior

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