2021 National Commendation for Small Project Architecture

Jury citation

It is hard not to be captivated by this extremely modest, owner-built architectural intervention set within the easily loved landscape and surrounds of Lake Derby. The architectural approach is simple and intuitive. A pair of gabled pavilions – one crafted from dark burnt larch (for the sauna) and the other from light-filled Ampelite cladding (for the changeroom) is set upon a floating pontoon. Floating Sauna Derby heightens the sensual experience of landscape immersion with its deft sequence of darting between the scales of architecture, lake and landscape. Ancient architectural form, black and white, light and absence of light, landscape and platonic form is indeed memorable, beautiful and intelligent.

Project credits

Architect: Licht Architecture; Project team: Jason Licht; Builder: Nigel Reeves; : PFG Group.

Floating Sauna Derby by Licht Architecture is located in Derby, Tasmania, on the land of the Pyemmairrener people of lutruwita.