hinoki sauna in japan combines local cypress wood and traditional construction methods

The Hinoki Sauna by 2m26

Designed and built by Kyoto-based architecture studio 2M26, the Hinoki Sauna is located within the town of Keihoku, in the northern mountainside of Kyoto, Japan. Seeking to offer a unique experience of the rural area, the structure is entirely made of locally sourced cypress wood, a material that emits a warm pleasant scent. The whole cabin was exclusively assembled with Japanese traditional joinery in order to let the building react to the gaps of heat and humidity levels.

the sauna is located on top of the Keihoku mountain, in the north of Kyoto

all images by Yuya Miki

traditional construction methods and modern shapes

From its construction system to its details, the Hinoki Sauna interprets Japanese countryside warehouses. Its walls were built following a rural traditional method of construction called ‘Itakura’. This process of sliding boards between pillars was shared with Kyoto citizens through a workshop. ‘Inviting people to join the construction is the first step to understanding and appropriating a building.’ the team at 2M26 shares. Trying to express eternal modernity, the architects keep learning from the local environment and traditional construction methods.

The sauna is accompanied by a large outer terrace, with both sitting on top of a small hill and giving visitors the chance to enjoy the rural view and refresh. In contrast to the outdoor openness, the inside of the sauna receives rays of light through narrow windows installed between beams. Regarding the functions, guests are first introduced to the entrance space which includes a fitting room and wooden bathtub. 

a large terrace offers guests the chance to refresh and enjoy the countryside view

2M26 seeks to express the traditional Japanese carpentry process with a modern shape

in order to endure the high humidity levels, the whole construction uses traditional Japanese wood joinery

Kyoto citizens helped assemble the walls of the sauna

Hinoki Sauna is designed as a simple square divided into two areas

the hinoki sauna provides a warm atmosphere and the unique smell of local hinoki wood

within the sauna, 2M26 built a traditional ‘Hinokiburo’ wooden bathtub

project info:

name: Hiniki Sauna
designer: 2M26 (Mélanie Heresbach and Sébastien Renauld)
location: Keihoku, Kyoto, Japan

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edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom