A Sauna house in Helsinki

Abstract

What is a serene place? What is serenity? While we have a common understanding of the term, its connection to architecture is almost directly operational, if we look at the Latin meaning of fair and above all clear.

What makes a place serene? Clarity of plan and fairing of walls, floors and ceilings, generally all surfaces, should provide an environment conducive to the mental, emotional state of serenity.

What kind of moment could possibly ease people's mind? To be in peace, in place, at rest in such an environment should be the proper condition for a human being to let go of stresses and find, even if only temporarily, peace of mind.

People's mind is like a receiver. The receptive mind will perceive such qualities in the environment and chances are that its response will be in concert with the intentions of the architect.

With these thoughts on my mind, I start to imagine a sauna house in the city of Helsinki by means of designing certain moments constructed by the interreaction of physical elements and approach its design as stated above, in this case with clear and fair form, light, material and temperature. These elements, work together to create a space that can be pictured and memorized by visitors visually and in all other ways sensibly absorbed and will create a lasting memory of a period of tranquility and serenity.