Lunawood and West Coast Sauna Summit Partner to Lead the Future of Wellness Architecture in North America
Finnish sustainability and world-class sauna craftsmanship meet the North American wellness movement toward healthier, nature-connected living.
– From rooftop retreats in New York to forest spas on the Pacific Coast, authentic sauna culture is experiencing a renaissance in North America. Saunas are gaining global momentum, transforming how wellness, people, and architecture connect.
At the forefront of this global movement is Lunawood, the Finnish pioneer of sustainable Thermowood® and toxin-free building practices.
Today, Lunawood announces a partnership with the West Coast Sauna Summit (WCSS)—Canada’s first sauna industry gathering—to bring authentic Finnish sauna values and best sauna building practices to support the success of the next generation of wellness architecture across North America.
The partnership launches with a global webinar, “Authentic Sauna Culture Meets Sustainable ThermoWood®” (Nov 4, 2025), where leaders in architecture, wellness, sauna building and design will explore how authentic sauna traditions, sustainable materials, and trends are shaping tomorrow’s wellness architecture.
The session will highlight real-world projects, including Ærth Saunas in Victoria, BC, and share highly valued sauna-building knowledge for architects, designers, and wellness entrepreneurs creating sauna and wellness spaces that can leave a lasting legacy.
Building Healthier Communities with Sauna
Sauna and forestry wisdom are embedded in Lunawood’s DNA. In Finland, sauna and forest have long been intertwined: the forest provides the material, while the sauna transforms it into a ritual that keeps people connected to nature, themselves, and their communities.
As North America’s wellness economy surpasses $2 trillion and the sauna market is expected to grow toward $340.9 million by 2030, architects and developers are seeking materials that meet both sustainability and eco-conscious building standards as well as human-centered design ideals. Lunawood ThermoWood® offers that bridge, enabling projects that are as responsible as they are sensory.
Sustainable materials, sauna-building best practices and thoughtful design bring the essence of the forest to the forefront of the new wave of wellness architecture.
Ærth Saunas: A Case Study in Urban Wellness Innovation
Ærth Saunas in downtown Victoria, BC, Canada, brings this vision to life. A once-forgotten alleyway between two heritage hotels in one of the busiest Canadian tourism centers has been transformed into a vibrant urban wellness village, reconnecting people with ritual and nature in the heart of the city. The site features three saunas, cold plunges, a herb garden for pollinators (and visitors), and community programming, showing how sustainable materials and thoughtful design can turn overlooked urban spaces into thriving cultural gathering spaces.
Designed by award-winning Hungarian architecture studio Hello Wood and with design choices deeply embedded in neuroarchitecture, Ærth is built with the same philosophy that drives Lunawood: reconnecting people with nature through architecture and ritual. It demonstrates that sauna is not only a timeless practice but also a blueprint for resilient, human-centered cities.
Lunawood ThermoWood® is featured both in the warm, calming interior sauna elements and in the exterior structures, such as fences and outdoor hot tubs, where natural beauty and longevity are equally essential.
Working with local community groups, tourism organizations, hotels, and the city of Victoria, Ærth is already contributing to the web of urban living in one of Canada’s most iconic tourism hubs through authentic sauna culture and design.
Join the Movement: Global Webinar on Sauna and Wellness Design
To mark the partnership, Lunawood and WCSS will host a global webinar— “Authentic Sauna Culture Meets Sustainable ThermoWood®”
Tuesday, November 4th, 2025 | 7:00–8:00 PM EET / 10:00–11:00 AM PST
Online – Free Registration
The event brings together global experts to explore how authentic sauna traditions, material innovation, and sustainable architecture can transform the wellness spaces of tomorrow.
Speakers include:
- Matias Laaksonen, Product & Design Manager, Lunawood – best practices for using ThermoWood® in long-lasting, forward-thinking sauna and architectural projects.
- Linda Helistö, Co-founder, West Coast Sauna Summit – bringing together enthusiasts and experts to celebrate sauna culture and explore wellness innovation.
- Viktoria Csanicz, Founder & CEO, Ærth Saunas – building the next generation of urban wellness
- Valtteri Rantala, Co-founder, West Coast Sauna Summit & Chief Sauna Dude, Partner, Ærth Saunas – moving authentic sauna culture forward in North America.
During the webinar, participants will learn practical tools, valuable insights, and inspiration for crafting both commercial and private sauna spaces, especially in the North American context. Get actionable insights, discover inspiring case studies, and hear directly from the leaders shaping the global sauna movement.
Join us and take your seat at the forefront of sauna culture and the future of wellness!
Reserve your spot today: https://my.demio.com/ref/t7lib1WE2qIrAa3v?
Media Contact:
Suvi Loukeinen, Marketing Manager
Lunawood
[email protected]
+358 50 305 9071
