Nick Polansky Creates the Fjord Floating Sauna in San Fran
Amy Duong — July 4, 2025 — Art & Design
References: thisisfjord
Californian architect Nick Polansky has completed the design of the Fjord floating suna with redwood decking and recycled shipping containers to top it off. This is a simple sauna that highlights sustainability and the connection of users and the environment. In this case, it is the waterfront according to the founders of Fjord, Alex Yenni and Gabe Turner.
Yenni explains, "Our position was that for people to want to protect the Bay, they first need to connect with it on a physical and emotional level. They need it to play an active role in their lives. They need to value it. While I'm sure we weren't the first ones to think of doing something like this on the water, I think we were the most committed to the entitlement process, to the environmental health of the bay, and to delivering measurable social good to the public."
Image Credit: Alex Farnum
Yenni explains, "Our position was that for people to want to protect the Bay, they first need to connect with it on a physical and emotional level. They need it to play an active role in their lives. They need to value it. While I'm sure we weren't the first ones to think of doing something like this on the water, I think we were the most committed to the entitlement process, to the environmental health of the bay, and to delivering measurable social good to the public."
Image Credit: Alex Farnum
Trend Themes
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Sustainable Floating Structures — Floating structures that utilize recycled materials exemplify sustainable architectural practices by reducing waste and reimagining the use of water spaces.
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Waterfront Wellbeing Experiences — Offering wellness experiences directly on the waterfront enhances personal connections to natural environments, which transforms how urban dwellers interact with their surroundings.
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Eco-friendly Modular Design — Adopting modular designs using upcycled materials such as shipping containers emphasizes eco-conscious construction in leisure and wellness facilities.
Industry Implications
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Sustainable Architecture — The use of recycled shipping containers for architectural projects highlights innovative resourcefulness in the field of sustainable architecture.
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Wellness Tourism — Incorporating unique floating saunas into tourism offerings caters to tourists seeking sustainable and novel wellness experiences.
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Maritime Recreation — Developing floating recreational facilities positions maritime spaces as valuable leisure destinations, enhancing the appeal of waterfront areas.
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