UPM donates redwood for unique sauna concept in London

The forest-based bio-industry company UPM Timber has donated redwood sawn timber to a one-of-a-kind project where the renowned Finnish architect Sami Rintala together with architectural students from the University of Westminster are building a sauna in central London, on the banks of the river Thames, said UPM in a press release on Wednesday.

This unique collaboration is part of the London Festival of Architecture, a month-long celebration of architecture and city-making, taking place every June across London.

The Finnish Sauna will be built using UPM timber during the festival between the 24–30 June, and visitors are welcome to view the construction of the sauna.

From June 30th until July 8th the Finnish Sauna will be open for public in London.

“We are very happy and proud to be part of this inspiring sauna project and support the work of architectural students in UK. The sauna will be from the highest quality Finnish redwood, and we are honoured to enable this project with our donation,” said Mikko Hyvärinen, Sales Director of UPM Timber.

“UPM’s timber is produced without any fossil energy and is therefore one of the most sustainable choices of sawn wood in the industry. We are committed to develop our ambitious sustainability goals even further to provide our customers with low carbon footprint products,” Hyvärinen added.

The Finnish Sauna project is coordinated by the Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland.

UPM is the main sponsor of the project by having donated all the wood material for the sauna. The heating system of the sauna is provided by the Finnish company Harvia. All of the amenities and toiletries are provided by the Finnish company Rento.