Trosten Floating Sauna
Two years after the inauguration of the Munch Museum, Estudio Herreros has completed “Tros- ten”, a small architectural manifesto built on the Oslo´s Fjord. The Floating Sauna commissioned by the non-profit Oslo Sauna Association is align- ing with their vision of “bringing sauna to the people.” Following the tradition of architectural follies, the project features a distinct volume and silhouette with a strong, colorful component, serving as a point for both individual and collec- tive use, offering retreat and contemplation at the foot of the Munch Museum. The program is divided into a sauna cabin with direct access to the water and an amphitheater facing the fjord allowing for small events. The construction com- bines sustainable design through an ambitious energy system that ensures consistent heat at all levels; conscious use of natural and recycled ma- terials; and social inclusion, being the first univer- sally accessible sauna with a steam recirculation system that facilitates heat for convenient use, also when seated in a wheelchair.
The recognizable volume of Trosten is the latest addition to the cluster of floating saunas designed by different architects at the mouth of the Aker- selva River. The sauna village dissolves the bound- ary between peninsula and fjord water while being part of the Harbour Promenade that has emerged after the historic container port disap- peared. This promenade now offers 7km of public space including walking, jogging, and biking cir- cuits, as well as seating areas, beaches, solariums, and bathing platforms active year-round.
The proposal has an important experimental component initiated with the assembly of the wooden structure in a dry dock outside the city before installing it on a prefabricated concrete floating platform, where the exterior skin and in- terior finishings were completed. The towing and landing at its destination completed the construc- tion cycle that avoided disturbing the everyday tranquility of the sauna village. Additionally, the project contributes to decarbonization and re- duces environmental impact using certified wood, recycled aluminum in the façades, and large ter- razzo tiles fabricated under Green Label certifica- tion, providing thermal inertia to the ensemble.
Trosten is an architectural instrument of slowing down time, an observatory from which to under- stand the city and its ecology, and to connect with realities and phenomena beyond health practice. Its name corresponds to the Norwegian word for the thrush bird, which migrates annually between Spain and the Nordic countries, traditionally seen as a harbinger of good luck. This idea that a small piece of architecture can impact a constellation of global issues reminds us that we must seize every opportunity to send messages that can be under- stood by all regarding the fragility of our planet.
건축가 ESTUDIO HERREROS
위치 오슬로, 노르웨이
용도 파빌리온
준공 2024
대표건축가 Juan Herreros & Jens Richter
디자인팀 Pablo Toribio, José A. Lora
지역건축가 White Arkitekter
구조엔지니어 DIFK
사진작가 Einar Aslaksen