Texas-based wellness company Thermasol has designed Solaris, which it claims is the first solar-powered, off-grid sauna in the U.S.
The model can reach up to 76°C (170°F) in about 30 to 40 minutes, offering an energy-efficient alternative to traditional saunas.
“Solaris is the world’s first fully off-grid, solar-powered sauna in the US – a radiant blend of design, innovation, and sustainability,” said Thermasol.
Solaris functions as a plug-and-play sauna that can be installed in remote or off-grid locations where traditional power infrastructure is unavailable, like remote retreats and properties looking to minimise energy use.
“We’ve seen growing demand from both homeowners and hospitality clients looking for energy-efficient wellness solutions,” Jennifer Thayer, president of Harvia US, Thermasol’s parent company, told Dezeen.
“Solaris was born from that desire to pair luxury with responsibility.”
Many saunas are powered by electricity or wood-burning stoves. While these conventional methods ensure reliable, consistent heating, they typically come with a significant carbon cost that is heavily influenced by the source of electricity.
In regions where fossil fuels dominate the energy mix, the emissions associated with sauna use are significantly higher. Wood-burning saunas contribute directly to air pollution by emitting CO2 and other pollutants into the atmosphere.
By contrast, Solaris operates via an array of integrated solar panels mounted along its exterior, complemented by insulated, high-efficiency thermal panels.
The system utilises energy-conscious heating cycles that retain heat for longer periods while minimising overall energy consumption.
The off-grid sauna features solar-tinted glass windows that bring in natural light while preserving privacy.
Its features include optimised airflow design and integrated heater controls.
The interior is informed by traditional Finnish sauna design, with ambient lighting and natural materials like brushed alder benches.
“You can even enjoy a traditional Löyly,” Thayer said, referring to the traditional Finnish practice of pouring water over heated sauna stones to generate steam and increase humidity levels inside the sauna.
By virtue of their size, saunas are often platforms for design innovation, often merging craftsmanship with emerging technologies or sustainable practices.
Most recently, Czech studio Ika Architekti built a sauna using scavenged materials like railway sleepers, which are clad in corrugated fibreglass panels.
Last year, architecture studio Estudio Herreros designed a floating sauna in Oslo, Norway. Elsewhere, architecture studio Oslo Works perched a shingle-clad sauna on stilts.
The photography is courtesy of Thermasol.
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