The Sauna Chapel creates a small backyard retreat for this residence located in a quiet Seattle neighborhood. The location on the site is one of sanctuary and reflection for these clients and the form of the architecture acts as a totem to their grandparents’ heritage. At night the structure acts as a lantern in the garden. Salvaged yellow cedar heavy timbers are stacked with small reveals between each piece creating ribbons of light and small glimpses to the landscape. The heavy timber cladding has an ebony-stained exterior contrasting the lighter and warmer tones of the interior hemlock cladding. The exterior mounted cold shower bucket allows a quick refresh and reset on the front stoop.