CASE STUDY HEALING FROM WITHIN

A neat, compact, modern home sauna is easier than you might think to install in the garden

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A home sauna used to feel like a pipe dream for city dwellers, but this cleverly handled build proves it might be within reach, even when space is at a premium.

This project has roots that reach deep into the past. Nordic countries have been espousing the benefits of the sauna for thousands of years, but the surge of UK-based interest is comparatively recent. That said, there's evidence to suggest that external buildings for bathing and healing (built from stone and using fire and rocks to heat the space) were constructed on some of Scotland's islands in the Bronze Age. Now intended to soothe and calm, the heat produced by these ancient saunas was originally thought to have cleansing and medicinal properties.

The owners of this garden sauna in Edinburgh are a couple embracing the next stage of life, with a keen focus on wellbeing. "They're active and health-conscious," says Claire Runciman of JML Gardens, the company tasked with creating the retreat. "They enjoy wild swimming and wanted a dedicated wellness space to complement their energetic, outdoor life. They're keen to enjoy the health benefits of hot and cold therapy (enhanced muscle recovery, improved sleep quality) and to create a calm space for early-morning or end-of-day relaxation."