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Project Details:

Location: Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden

Architect: Sandellsandberg Arkitekter / @sandellsandberg

Project Name: Big Branzino / @big.branzino

Footprint: 400 square feet

General Contractor: AlfaBryggan AB

Structural Engineer: Kvarteret K

Carpenter: Leif Persson

Smithwork: Jan Karlsson and Lennart Andersson

Photographer: Filip Gränström / @creativeflipp

From the Architect: “Big Branzino is a floating sauna designed by Thomas Sandell and Johan Strandlund at Swedish architecture firm Sandellsandberg Architects. It can travel at a speed of five knots and is built to provide guests with a sauna experience in the beautiful nature of the Stockholm archipelago.

“The bow shape is the central theme throughout. The lowest point of the arch creates warmth and closeness to the glow of the fire, and as the arch rises to the sides it allows the stars of the night sky to be admired from the inside.

“Big Branzino was hand built by master carpenter Leif Persson at Kungsör Shipyard in Sweden. The exterior is a rugged pine to blend in with surrounding nature. The interiors and furniture are made of western red cedar due to its great characteristics for saunas and outdoor uses. The cedar table on the roof terrace is foldable and features brass handles, so it can be stowed away when the occasion calls for dancing.

“It is built as a wood structure on top of a catamaran steel hull. The steel hull provides the needed stability as well as storage space, allowing the interior to be minimalistic and airy.

“All steering and navigation equipment is concentrated on top a cedar cabinet on the deck at the bow. To provide a fully immersive experience, a revolving brass case was designed to conceal all modern navigation equipment. The steering wheel is handmade in brass and its shape references the outline of the boat.

“The heart of the vessel is the sauna oven, which the blacksmith designed with glass on each side to provide the same ambiance to every seat, and so the fire could be seen from the exterior.

“A brass light switch panel depicts the boat’s shape with buttons that correspond to the different areas of the vessel. The roof terrace is subtly lit by a concealed LED light along the wall top, allowing uninterrupted views of the night sky and the great views of the surrounding archipelago.”

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