German designer Malte Schütt has developed an innovative modular wooden sauna featuring a distinctive gridded facade and a living roof that seamlessly integrates with its garden environment. The recent graduate created the freestanding structure, called Kassette House, using what he describes as "an ecological modular, prefab system made from softwood."
The sauna's construction utilizes a systematic approach designed for efficiency and sustainability. "The design consists of four-by-four pillars and frames, which form an easy way of assembly with minimal construction time at the worksite," Schütt explained. The entire system is built using 100 percent regional wood and can be completely disassembled, allowing for reuse or separate recycling of components.
Schütt installed the custom-built sauna for a private client in Germany, placing it within the customer's garden setting. The designer prioritized natural materials throughout the construction process, selecting hemp as the primary insulation material. "As it's a sauna, it needed quite good insulation while still being made out of natural materials," Schütt noted. "Hemp is an excellent material for that, as it is also lightweight."
The structure features a planted roof that serves multiple functional and aesthetic purposes. "The planted roof is working as an extra insulation layer on top, while it connects the sauna to the green garden around and lets the building not stick out too much," the designer said. This green roof helps the structure blend naturally into its surroundings while providing additional thermal protection.
The sauna incorporates modern heating technology through an electric sauna heater manufactured by HUUM. The front of the structure features a distinctive gridded screen that balances privacy needs with visual connection to the outdoors. "The gridded system in the front doors was created as privacy protection, but with still big enough gaps to have a good view from inside out into the garden," Schütt explained.
The design includes a flexible front area that enhances the user experience. "The front part of the sauna works as a changing or relaxation area, so the doors can also be folded open," the architect added. This multi-functional space allows users to adapt the structure based on their needs and preferences.
Schütt envisions his sauna prototype serving as a model for broader applications in small-scale modular architecture. The project demonstrates how prefabricated systems can combine environmental responsibility with practical functionality. The use of regional materials, natural insulation, and a completely recyclable design reflects growing interest in sustainable construction methods.
The Kassette House sauna represents part of a growing trend in innovative sauna design, joining other recent projects that have experimented with alternative materials and construction methods. The project showcases how traditional building types can be reimagined using modern sustainable practices while maintaining their essential functional characteristics.
