Creating our "floating" sauna
A clean, dark, angular cube reflected in the still waters of the lake. The Nant founder Sam Meehan reveals the crystal-clear vision he had when designing Ebba's sauna.
The idea began with the thought of a focal point in the middle of the lake. At first, we imagined it would be the cabin itself, but over time it felt more natural for the cabin to sit within the landscape rather than on the water.
The sauna suited the lake better. It became a destination in its own right — a floating box suspended quietly at the centre, proportioned so that water surrounded it on all sides.
We kept the form simple and geometric — just a clean, angular dark cube set against the hills behind, reflected in the water.
Framing the view
The front of the sauna is dominated by a single pane of glass — two metres high by 1.8 metres wide — completely frameless. It’s held in place between the internal and external cladding so the boundary between inside and out disappears; the interior seems to flow straight into the lake beyond.
Fitting that pane of glass was a moment. Four of us carried it gingerly down the jetty and eased it into place from the inside — one of the last jobs before filling the lake.
The warmth within
Inside, we lined the walls in thermo radiata pine — pine that’s heat-treated in an oven to bring out a rich brown tone.
The floor is heavy tumbled limestone, giving the space a grounding weight against the wood and glass; practical for cleaning and perfect in contrast.
We chose an electric heater rather than wood-burning, so guests can step in and use the sauna straight away without worrying about fire-lighting.
Lighting comes from a diffused LED strip recessed beneath the benches — no visible source, just a soft glow that catches the steam and flickers off the water outside.
It’s a small structure but it encapsulates everything we love — water, fire, craftsmanship, and a quiet sense of adventure.
A sauna not just to relax in, but to swim to.
