Heating up
As demand for saunas increases, Sam Jameson of Sustainable Saunas creates New Zealand-made models in the most eco-friendly of ways.
As a tool for relaxation and self-care, saunas are gaining in popularity around the world.
“It’s astounding the benefits that the sauna brings,” says Sam Jameson, founder of Sustainable Saunas. “We’re at the start of a huge wave. In Europe and Scandinavia, it’s the centre of the family and is an activity in itself. It becomes very addictive because you feel so good and you sleep so well. It’s really noticeable how your quality of life improves.”
Sam’s mission with Sustainable Saunas is to help people prioritise their health and wellbeing while also protecting the environment.
His journey began after he completed a degree in chemistry in Dunedin and gained a scholarship to study medicinal chemistry in Denmark. After graduating, he rekindled his love for woodwork, building saunas in Denmark. After returning to New Zealand, he noticed the gap in the market and aimed to create saunas tailored to the New Zealand climate. Imported saunas couldn’t stand up to our often damp and humid climate.
But with his new understanding of chemistry, Sam was surprised at the toxins and materials being used in our construction industry.
So Sustainable Saunas is dedicated to the health and wellbeing of users while minimising the ecological footprint.
Materials have been chosen that have lower environmental impact without any harmful chemicals. They are local, safe and sustainable while minimising waste.
All saunas are built using the Foreverbreathe Specification system. They are lined inside and out with New Zealand- grown radiata pine, which has been thermally modified to excel in the conditions of a sauna. Mineral boards are used as vapour and weather barriers, replacing traditional plastic-based alternatives. Sheep’s wool insulation actively keeps the walls dry, and locally sourced Douglas fir maintains structural integrity.
Sam encourages his clients to use their saunas in the Scandinavian way.
“Three rounds of 15 minutes with a five- to 10-minute break with some cold exposure.
So you would use a sauna for 15 minutes and then have a cold shower or jump in a lake. Rounds of hot and cold really contribute to the sense of wellbeing and makes it a more enjoyable experience.”
The saunas can be set up in a backyard or at a bach, perhaps by a pool, an outdoor shower or even an ice bath. “It can be simple,” he says. “Some kind of water is amazing if someone is blessed to have a lake or the ocean nearby, but it’s not necessary. People do all sorts of things with their saunas in their homes.”
027 580 3908 | sustainablesaunas.nz
