Norwegian sauna keeps a memory alive
Eldmølla ties itself to the site while framing views of the Jotunheimen mountains.
In the village of Vang, Norway, a group of architecture students built a sauna where a grain mill once stood. They named it Eldmølla – “fire mill” – to tie the new structure to the history of the old one.
The sauna stands along the River Hemsil, next to the Sommerhotellet, a timber hotel from 1891. A small changing room is connected to the sauna, where water from the stream is channeled into a pool. This provides bathers relief after their session, linking the building directly to the river that runs past it.
Inside, the sauna accommodates six to eight people. A wood-burning stove heats the space, and a window opens the interior to views of the river and the Jotunheimen mountains. With a footprint of about 15 square meters (160 square feet), it is compact but communal.
The sauna was built in 2017 during a design-build workshop led by architect August Schmidt with students Arnstein Gilberg and Ina Samdal. Every joint was cut and fitted by hand, proving what a small team can accomplish with modest means and local materials.
For travelers, Vang is a gateway to the Jotunheimen National Park, with peaks, fishing lakes, and traditional mountain farms scattered through the valley. The village is about three hours by car from Oslo, making it an easy weekend escape. Besides bathing in the sauna, there are many opportunities for hiking, skiing, and cycling the landscape year-round.
Takeaways for your own build
A name can anchor a new building to the history of its site.
Compact size is enough for communal gathering.
A window directed toward water or landscape makes a small room feel expansive.
Stone foundations add durability and distinction.
All photos courtesy of Workshop NTNU-Trondheim.