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Flensburger-Gemeinschaftssauna: Strengthening Friendships and Sauna Culture

In the northern German city of Flensburg, a group of wellness-focused friends pooled their skills together to convert a motorcycle trailer into a sauna with a Harvia wood-burning heater. The group was made up of students from various disciplines: medicine, engineering, and education. Built at the home of one of the students’ parents’ farm over several evenings and weekends, the project quickly became a shared passion and creative outlet. Read on to find out more about this passion-led sauna project.

Inspired to build a sauna

The idea for the motorcycle trailer sauna was born from shared sailing trips to Finland and Sweden, where the group were inspired by how incredible sauna left them feeling.

"There’s nothing like the relaxation you feel after sauna," said the Flensburger-Gemeinschaftssauna team.

Unfortunately, in their hometown of Flensburg, public saunas were few and far between, and those that existed were often tied to larger facilities such as gyms, swimming pools, or hotels, which were out of the budget for ordinary students. The team envisioned a transportable sauna that could be used along the coast near Flensburg, heating quickly for spontaneous meetings with friends.

Building a Space for Connection

The sauna was designed to be easy to transport and use, and, above all, restorative. Built on a motorcycle trailer, it can be easily moved to different locations and offers stunning views from its large window. The sauna was initially 3D-modeled by the team’s engineer to fit exactly onto the motorcycle trailer, then construction work began at the home of one of the student’s parents.

The group chose the Harvia Linear 18 Compact wood-burning heater for its reliability and connection to Finnish sauna tradition.

“Every good wood-burning sauna we visited during our travels in the Nordics had a Harvia heater. So, we wanted one too!”

Because of its ease of use, the group heats the sauna several times a week, regardless of the season. “We look forward to going to the sauna. It’s a way to disconnect from everyday stresses and connect with each other and with ourselves.”

Tips for Newcomers to Sauna

Sauna is growing in popularity around the world for the many benefits of sauna to physical and mental health, from improved circulation and muscle relaxation to reduced stress and better sleep. For anyone new to sauna, the group’s advice is simple: “Take off your clothes and embrace the sauna fully. Stay hydrated, know your limits, and don’t be shy.”

The sauna’s mobile nature encourages spontaneity and exploration, whether it’s cycling out of the city to unwind, gathering friends for a cozy evening, or parking by the coast to enjoy the views.

Beyond the physical and mental benefits, the shared experience of building and using the sauna has strengthened friendships, fostered creativity, and created lasting memories.