The making of a traditional log cabin Sylvan Sauna
Every year, Rich Anderson of Norwegian Wood sails between the fjords of Norway and the shores of Wales to share traditional building skills with local communities. This summer, we joined forces with Rich to create a unique sylvan sauna - a traditional ‘grindbygg’ log cabin; handcrafted by Rich and fully fitted by our expert sauna builders. We caught up with Rich to learn more about his nomadic lifestyle, and how natural building, teaching, sauna bathing and outdoor adventure come together to create a timeless philosophy for holistic health.
The Magic of Sailing, Sustainable Building and a Seasonally Nomadic Life
Norwegian Wood is a sustainable building and education company with an ethos rooted in sustainability, accessibility, and physical and mental health. Rich set up the company in 2022, with a mission to bridge vernacular building cultures between Norway and the UK and share practical skills and practices that enhance wellbeing. In doing so, Rich has forged a semi-nomadic lifestyle that also accommodates his passion for sailing: twice a year, he charts a course between Wales and Norway, teaching and learning in both countries.
This seasonal rhythm offers a variety of experiences and opportunities, and embodies a commitment to cross-cultural connection and sustainable living. On a personal level, Rich’s bi-annual maritime adventure also provides much-needed time to reflect and reconnect with the elements.
“I really connect with that deep magic of sailing, of being shunted along across the waves by the elements, nothing else pushing you forward… And there are those incredible moments when you anchor up in an isolated cove in the north-west of Scotland, you step off the boat, and you’re in the middle of wilderness - and you realise how lucky and privileged you are to be able to experience that.”
Bringing Natural Building to Sauna Culture
Rich’s occupation, natural building, emphasises the use of locally available, sustainable materials and techniques that work in harmony with the environment, aiming to create structures that contribute to a healthier, more sustainable way of living. Traditional Grindbygg roundwood timber framing is a centuries-old craft that engages the body and mind. It’s a rewarding physical, outdoor activity that requires teamwork, focus and resilience. As Rich explains, in many ways, this merges seamlessly with sauna culture, as part of a holistic approach to a happy, healthy lifestyle.
“Bringing log building to sauna culture makes a lot of sense to me. It’s part of a kind of holistic approach to living, where health is just part and parcel of what you do - it’s not something you go and check with a doctor every now and then. Instead you are surrounding yourself with people, materials and practices that all build and maintain health. So natural building is part of that system, it’s part of that way of life.”
A traditional sauna enthusiast himself, Rich has spent time in Northern Europe, where saunas are an essential part of the culture.
“The Finns won’t ask you how your sauna was, they’ll ask you how your Löyly was. Löyly, as Heartwood would know, is the steam. But the word doesn’t just mean steam; it also means spirit. And the spirit of the sauna is what makes it - so a good sauna to me isn’t about temperature, as much as the right mix of temperature and steam. That sound when the water hits the rock, that’s the ultimate ‘ah’; that’s the out breath.”
“Bringing log building to sauna culture makes a lot of sense to me. It’s part of a kind of holistic approach to living - you are surrounding yourself with people, materials and practices that all build and maintain health.”
The Sylvan sauna was built as part of our bespoke sauna service, which enables clients to work with our expert team to develop a sauna design that’s tailored to individual requirements. Our bespoke service extends from standalone saunas to outdoor garden retreats and wellness complexes incorporating saunas, contrast therapy, and relaxation spaces. More information and details of bespoke projects can be found on our bespoke sauna page.