July 20, 2016

GoCstudio wins national AIA award for designing a little sauna that floats

Photos by Kevin Scott [enlarge]

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A floating sauna called wa_sauna designed by goCstudio of Seattle won a 2016 National Small Projects Award from the American Institute of Architects.

The awards recognize objects, environmental art or design elements — one for projects up to $150,000 and another for projects up to $1.5 million.

GoCstudio's 240-square-foot sauna can be moored at a marina or on private property. It sits on floating plastic drums in a prefabricated aluminum frame. The deck and exterior are marine-grade plywood, and the interior is kiln-dried spruce siding.

The sauna is powered by an electric trolling motor. It can accommodate up to six people, with heat from a wood stove.

Funding for the $40,000 project came from the community and crowdfunding. It was built by goCstudio and volunteers. GoCstudio hired architect Greg Lewis to oversee construction.

Swenson Say Faget was the engineer, and Hilliard's Beer provided fabrication space.

GoCstudio was founded in 2012 by Jon Gentry and Aimee O'Carroll. They said this project combines their love of water, saunas and floating structures, and provides a place for people to gather.

The maiden voyage was last fall. Gentry and O'Carroll operate it for private excursions.

GoCstudio's designed COR Cellars Winery in Lyle and several Seattle projects: Ritual House of Yoga, Oiselle Flagship Store and Seward Park House.

Here are all the Small Projects Award winners: http://tiny.cc/ywe1cy/.