How Woodsmoke Sauna Came to Be

A reflection, from Lauren, on how Woodsmoke was built and the people behind it. It offers context for the choices we made, the experiences that shaped them, and the care that continues to guide the space.

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Bill working on the chimney

Woodsmoke Sauna exists because of the the stories of the people who built it

— the care, experience, and conviction they brought to the work. Bill and I came to this project from very different paths, but with a shared commitment to doing sauna well.

Bill is the foundation of the build. He began his working life in landscaping before joining the Army, where he served as a veteran of the 82nd Airborne Infantry. He later studied mechanical engineering at Penn State Behrend, bringing together discipline, systems thinking, and a deep respect for how things are made and maintained over time. Bill has a passion for craftsmanship, especially in the details most people never notice. He’s drawn to high-quality builds that are meant to last, and to understanding how materials, heat, airflow, and structure work together as a whole. That mindset shaped every decision in the sauna’s construction.

My role in Woodsmoke lives in the vision, the research, and the experience itself. I’ve

Lauren on a post-partum retreat with Escape Havin, Cangguu, Bali

spent years learning how sauna affects the body and nervous system, and how design choices influence what people feel when they’re inside a space. That work comes from lived experience. After becoming a mother, sauna became essential for me—a reliable way to reset, regulate, and feel grounded again.

My understanding of sauna has been shaped by years of use and close attention. I lived in Germany for a year, traveling throughout Europe and encountering different sauna traditions early on. Since then, I’ve spent time in many forms of sauna and thermal bathing—ancient thermal baths in Spain, geothermal lagoons across Iceland, Aufguss rituals in Amsterdam, and large public sauna spas in Germany. Many people have never used a sauna before; I’ve experienced how different heat qualities, styles, and rituals affect the body, and what consistently supports balance, recovery, and presence. That experience shapes the story we tell at Woodsmoke, the information we share, the way people are welcomed into the space, and the small details and amenities that help them feel cared for once they arrive.

Together, those perspectives shaped Woodsmoke. Bill brought precision, durability, and systems thinking. I brought research, experience, and a deep belief in sauna as a practice that can meaningfully support people’s lives. We consulted with experienced

sauna builders, studied proven design principles, and took the time to do this carefully.

woodsmoke mid-build in winter

What you experience here is the result of that partnership—not just a structure, but a space shaped by engineering rigor, lived experience, and deep care. A place designed to hold people gently, offer room to breathe, and support the kind of rest and release that can quietly change how life feels.

Warmly,