German designer Malte Schütt created this modular wooden sauna to blend neatly into its garden setting, adding a gridded timber facade (with echoes of classic garden paneling) and a lush living roof. Built for a private client, the project is an exploration of small-scale architecture’s ability to adapt to its location while being environmentally considerate.
The sauna, named Kassette House, is constructed entirely from regional wood and assembled using a system of pillars and frames, making it easy to put together on-site without disturbing the landscape. Every component can be taken apart again, allowing the structure to be reused or recycled in full. Natural materials drive the project’s ethos, with hemp insulation chosen for its low weight and strong thermal performance. A wooden trellis screen marks the entrance, offering privacy from prying eyes and a view out from within, while referencing familiar garden structures. Inside, electric panels provide heat, keeping the overall design clean and compact. The green roof adds another layer of sustainability, helping the sauna merge with its surroundings while offering extra temperature regulation throughout the year.
Developed as a prototype, Schütt plans to evolve the concept for wider use, imagining a future in which lightweight, eco-friendly saunas can be placed gently into a variety of natural settings.
Photography © Malte Schütt