Intentionally placed within a backyard garden in East Los Angeles, this project reimagines what a personal wellness space can look like within the city. With native plants and natural materials layered throughout the landscape and an old olive tree anchoring the space, the property offered the perfect setting for a quiet architectural addition - something subtle yet functional and deeply connected to its surroundings.

The client sought a compact outdoor sauna that would feel at home within the garden. Our ORCA Sauna, chosen for its modest footprint, becomes a seamless extension of the garden’s rhythm. Situated between rocks and plantings that will continue to grow in over the years to come, and softened by light that filters through the surrounding leaves, it now serves as both a retreat and a statement piece.

ORCA's copper outdoor shower sits just off the sauna's porch, creating a quiet oasis within the landscape. With the city just minutes away, the setting feels surprisingly remote - proof that even in dense urban environments, quiet, daily restoration can be found.

This project illustrates how thoughtful placement, natural materials, and an intentional design approach can transform even the most compact spaces into something enduring, personal, and restorative.

Location: Los Angeles, California - Spring 2025
Model: ORCA Sauna
Exterior: Cedar Shakes with Wood Patina
Interior: Knotted Select Cedar Cladding and Benches
Roof Color: Bronze