Shimmering Pink Titanium Sauna Transforms Polluted Swedish Past into a Sustainable Future

An artistic oasis emerges in Skellefteå, Sweden

On the shores of Skellefteå in northern Sweden, Bigert & Bergström have unveiled a striking pink crystal-shaped sauna, known as the “pink titanium sauna.” This gleaming structure marks the completion of their visionary piece for the WasteLand Climate Action Park, transforming one of Västerbotten’s most notorious industrial sites into a beacon of renewal.

A harmonious blend of history, innovation, and the sauna

The former Scharin industrial site bears a century-old legacy of toxic emissions. After extensive remediation efforts spanning 17 years, it has now been reborn as a public space. The artists chose to honor this history by combining functionality with artistic expression. “Rather than erase the site’s history, we wanted to build upon it,” explained the artist duo, referring to their remarkable installation.

A crystalline homage to lithium

Cloaked in pink titanium-coated mirrored stainless steel, the sauna features about 280 asymmetrical prisms. Designed digitally and crafted with precision CNC and laser technology, the building echoes the form of a lithium crystal, symbolizing the mineral’s pivotal role in battery technology and sustainable energy. The construction of this installation showcases an intersection of art and eco-friendly technology.

A delicate balance

This back-leaning structure, angled at four degrees, stands on a hexagonal deck made from locally sourced heartwood pine. Its pink hue is a product of an innovative process involving evaporated titanium condensed onto stainless steel. “The mirrored exterior reflects not just nature but also the profound industrial transformations of the landscape,” say the artists, emphasizing the transformative impact on the area.

Innovation beneath the surface

Inside, a custom battery-operated heater powers the sauna. Encased in black flint and filled with 260 kilograms of olivine stones, it employs stored green electricity, exemplifying sustainable innovation. “Though its power source is futuristic, the heater’s design harkens back to humanity’s earliest tools,” the duo notes. This innovation is at the heart of the design.

Experience and community

With capacity for 12, the sauna features a wooden cave-like interior with heat-resistant veneer over a spruce frame. Handmade alder benches circle the heater while a glazed doorway offers views of the Skellefte River. Local heartwood pine floors boast natural durability against the elements, providing visitors with an inviting experience in this renowned facility.

“Crystal Sauna is a social and performative artwork,” state Bigert & Bergström. They envision it as a community space, fostering dialogue and reflection amid change. The integration of art and practical utility sparks connection beneath its gemstone exterior.

Explore how other architects blend natural elements in their designs, like Snøhetta’s Theodore Roosevelt Library, merging innovation with landscapes.

For another captivating transformation project, explore Berlin’s Tilla-Durieux-Park transformation and its inspiring community innovations.

The photography, capturing the sauna’s transformative presence, is by Pär Olofsson. Other innovative sauna designs recently highlighted include a moody New York private sauna by BoND and a sauna-turned-tea room in Finland by Jaakko Torvinen.

Source: dezeen.com

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