Perched on an island’s edge in Georgian Bay, Ontario, the Grotto Sauna is a feat of old-world craftsmanship and new-world sustainability made possible by cutting-edge software and fabrication technology.
Inspired by an Italian grotto, the exterior is built from charred cedar prepared using the traditional Japanese Shou Sugi Ban method to convey a weathered appearance. The curved interior emulates Lake Huron’s waves and mirrors the Precambrian shield.
The Grotto is a highly sustainable structure that establishes a successful methodology for addressing the challenges of building ambitious architecture in remote and environmentally sensitive regions. The site was digitally scanned to create a highly accurate 3D model so architects could analyse and position the structure to minimise site impact while retaining optimum views of the sunsets.
PROJECT DETAILS
ARCHITECT: PARTISAN
LOCATION: Toronto, Canada
SIZE: 900 sq ft
