On a bluff above Lower Eau Claire Lake near Gordon, Wisconsin, we built a Superior model sauna for a family that plans to share it for a long time. The homeowners are great-grandparents, and they wanted a gathering place for every generation. That shaped each decision on the build.
We paired the Superior layout with a large viewing window in the hot room, so the upper bench looks straight out over the lake. It sounds simple, but it takes planning. The window placement, the bench height and the line of sight have to agree. When they do, you sit in the heat with the water right in front of you.
The heater is an IKI Original wood-fired stove. It is made in Finland and loaded with stones, so the heat is soft and the steam is strong when you pour water over the rocks. A wood fire also brings its own smell and sound, and the heat builds in a way electric does not. For a lake property like this, it fits.
For the exterior, the siding color was picked to go with the cabin and blend in with the lot. The covered entry has a cedar ceiling with recessed lighting, which gives the building a finished look. Inside, cedar tongue-and-groove runs throughout. It keeps the room warm in tone and holds up to heavy use.
We are proud of this one, and grateful the homeowners trusted us with it.
What stands out
- Upper bench looks straight out over the lake
- IKI Original wood-fired heater
- Covered entry with cedar ceiling and recessed lighting
- Built for great-grandparents to share with the whole family
Thinking about one like it
This build started from the Superior, one of our three outdoor sauna models. For what it takes to get one to your property, read about delivery and installation.
