Public Sauna / Mjölk Architects

Sep 2010

By Sebastian J — Filed under: Leisure ,Public Facilities , Czech Republic, Liberec, Mjölk Architects

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Czech architectural office Mjölk Architekti made a remarkable contribution to public space utilization in Liberec, their city of residence. Without a legal permit for construction and surprising everyone in the city, they built a public sauna on an abandoned city dam. The preparation took five days and building time was eight hours.

More images and architect’s description after the break.

Courtesy of Mjölk Architects

During the night right after our apperance at Pecha Kucha Night Prague ‐ which took place last Wednesday – the architects built a public sauna at the city dam. The sauna itself was built on an abandoned concrete platform, which is located only a few dozen meters away from a popular public beach and promenade.

No legal permit was issued and the entire happening was kept secret. The bank of the dam is in public ownership of the municipality; the abandoned concrete structure as well the dam itself is owned by Povodí Labe, state administrator of watercourses of the Labe river. Neither of the authorities had any idea of what was about to happen.

Courtesy of Mjölk Architects

Mjölk architekti presented the sauna to city representatives at an opening ceremony, which took place last Thursday. The sauna opened to public completely free of charge. From now on, it is accessible by a little rowing boat and it is operated from a nearby café, where keys and firewood are available.

The meaning of this happening is to draw attention to limitless opportunities of cultivation of public space and life only through a simple idea and a little bit of enthusiasm and money.

: Courtesy of Mjölk Architects

: Courtesy of Mjölk Architects

: Courtesy of Mjölk Architects

: Courtesy of Mjölk Architects

: Courtesy of Mjölk Architects

: Courtesy of Mjölk Architects

: Courtesy of Mjölk Architects

: Courtesy of Mjölk Architects

: Courtesy of Mjölk Architects

: Courtesy of Mjölk Architects

: Courtesy of Mjölk Architects

: Courtesy of Mjölk Architects

: Courtesy of Mjölk Architects

: Courtesy of Mjölk Architects

: Courtesy of Mjölk Architects

Cite:
Jordana , Sebastian . "Public Sauna / Mjölk Architects" 22 Sep 2010. ArchDaily. Accessed 26 May 2012. <http://www.archdaily.com/78662>

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cs says:

extremely outstanding!

# September 22, 2010 at 14:27

Martin says:

This reminds me of a Stockholm art project, “civil disobedience”, where an artist made houses for homeless people without permission. The world needs more of this kind of stuff.

# September 22, 2010 at 15:44

Jacki says:

frPmN1 I’m not easily impressed. . . but that’s impressing me! :)

# April 9, 2011 at 20:14

up_today_arch says:

They could build a lot of them, one by one:)… for all fans of sauna:)

# September 23, 2010 at 03:48

mets says:

this is a real INTERVENTION! and a great ADVERTISEMENT! congratulations!

# September 23, 2010 at 04:14

veronika says:

This is great stuff, congratulations! I like everything about it, the cheapness of the design, the placement, the public use, …. this is how architecture should work, for the enrichment of our surrounding. Keep on the good work!

# September 23, 2010 at 16:07

3:59 PM Sep 22nd

Bocetos Digitales

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4:06 PM Sep 22nd

Vincent B.

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4:10 PM Sep 22nd

yonghwa

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4:16 PM Sep 22nd

Barry Maguire