Floating saunas transform waste containers into waterfront wellness

By Jenny Yu.  

This innovative project uses recycled shipping containers to deliver a new sauna and plunge-pool experience. 

Two floating saunas built from recycled shipping containers and anchored in Sausalito Bay are redefining waterfront wellness. In a recent article of AQUA Magazine, the project called “Fjord” is described as a striking blend of environmental consciousness, industrial design and natural immersion. 

Envisioned by founders Alex Yenni and Gabe Turner and realized by architect Nick Polansky, the installation features two Finnish-style saunas mounted on a 675-square-foot barge made largely from repurposed shipping containers. Each sauna encloses three container-sides in dark steel, while the fourth opens with a glass panel to frame views of the bay. The remainder of the barge is dressed in warm redwood decking and timber structures that create a semi-covered outdoor space meant to harmonize with the natural surroundings. 

Beyond aesthetics, the project was designed through a rigorous entitlement process requiring approval from more than seven local and federal agencies before permission was granted by the Bay Conservation Development Commission. The founders say their goal was to create a direct emotional and physical connection between people and the bay, believing that appreciation through experience will foster a deeper commitment to its protection. 

The floating saunas also deliver a tactile wellness experience: each side of the barge includes a ladder descending to a cordoned-off plunge area, offering a contrasting cold-water dip after the sauna. With views, cold plunges and sustainable design, Fjord aims to become a beloved local landmark and a destination for visitors seeking a new kind of aquatic retreat. 

Read the full article at AQUA Magazine’s website to learn more.