Social Sauna - Culture of Bathe-ing

Social Sauna - Culture of Bathe-ing presents a new perspective on global sauna, culture, ritualand design. By defining sauna's essence and exploring how this venerated practice is evolvingtoday, authors Jane Withers and Ria Hawthorn reveal how sauna can benefit wellbeing andcommunity and rekindle joy in our lives. Social Sauna explores sauna culture from ancient globaltraditions of steam bathing through to modern experimental sauna practices. Examples includethe Bathing Culture sauna in Gothenburg by architects raumlabor, the Agora sauna created forthe nomadic SALT festival and urban bathhouse pioneers Loyly, Helsinki and Othership, NewYork. The book was originally published as Social Sauna - Bathing & Wellbeing in 2022. The new edition (subtitled Culture-of Bathe-ing as we are calling the movement) includes an afterword by Robert Hammond charting bathing's current resurgence.

Jane Withers Studio, 2026
Softcover, 128pp 
230 x 170mm