Revolutionizing Sauna Experience: Sauna Habits by Marina Baranova

Introducing a Sustainable Sauna Stove Design with Finnish Cultural Roots

Baranova's design was driven by the cultural significance and the genuine experience of Finnish saunas. The term "Sauna Habits" encapsulates the Finnish approach to slow living, rituals, social life, and mindfulness within a sauna. The design aims to provide a more sustainable sauna experience without compromising the traditional appeal of wood-burning stoves.

Traditional sauna stoves are known for their high emission factors among residential heating appliances. Baranova's Sauna Habits offers a solution to this environmental concern. The inner structure of the stove facilitates airflow circulation, enhancing heat exchange, reducing heat waste, and effectively burning combustible gases and particulates. This innovative approach significantly reduces wood consumption, making the sauna experience more sustainable.

The prototype of Sauna Habits was cast out of fireproof concrete, chosen for its ability to withstand high temperatures necessary for almost total combustion of wood. The concrete's properties also allow it to accumulate and radiate heat over an extended period. The technical specifications of the design are 490 x 490 x 840 mm, making it a compact and efficient addition to any sauna.

The project started in Helsinki in January 2017, with the prototype completed by August the same year. It was exhibited at the National Museum of Finland during Helsinki Design Week in September 2017 and later at the Global Grad Show in Dubai as part of Dubai Design Week in November 2017. The design has since received recognition, winning the Golden A' Home Appliances Design Award in 2018 for its outstanding and trendsetting creation.

Despite the challenges faced during the complex concrete casting process, Baranova successfully created a design that addresses the emission issues of traditional wood-burning sauna stoves. Sauna Habits is a testament to her commitment to sustainable design and innovation, reflecting her wisdom and prodigious talent in the field.