Building Navia Bathhouse Ep.3 - The Black Timber Sauna, Magnesium Hot Pool & Steam Room

Mineral Hot Pool Tile Selection & Rustic Timber Designs

The black tiled entry steps to Navia's magnesium hot pool & cold plunge

As Navia continues to take shape, we’re excited to see our design choices come to life, each carefully selected to enhance both aesthetic appeal and sensory experience.

One of the standout features is our magnesium hot pool, where we opted for black pebble tiles with black grout. This combination was chosen not only for its bold, grounding aesthetic but also for its ability to create a seamless, organic look—allowing the water to appear deep and tranquil, much like the natural rock pools found along the coastline. The texture of the pebble tiles also adds a subtle, tactile element, enhancing the overall bathing experience.

Pat wire-brushing the rustic timber door jams

Meanwhile, Pat, Navia’s co-founder, got hands-on with construction, ensuring the door jambs were installed on time and personally wire-brushing all the timber required for them. This process enhances the natural grain of the wood, bringing out its rich texture and depth, a small but meaningful detail that aligns with our commitment to thoughtful craftsmanship.

Community Sauna & Steam Room Design

The black timbers in our traditional Finnish sauna

Our steam room seating has now taken shape, clad in the same black pebble tile as the hot pool, with a curved edge designed to provide a comfortable and inviting space.

Progress is also underway in the traditional Finnish hot-rock sauna, where we are incorporating black timber as part of the fit-out—drawing direct influence from Löyly in Helsinki, a community sauna that inspired much of Navia’s design ethos. The dark timber helps to create an intimate, cocoon-like environment, allowing the heat to radiate effectively while fostering a deep sense of warmth and relaxation.

Navia Bathhouse's Feature Tile: Emulating Water

In the bathhouse bathrooms, we have started tiling with variegated blue tiles, chosen to emulate the movement of water and evoke a sense of fluidity and calm. The rich variation in colour ensures that each tile reflects light differently, creating a dynamic, ever-changing effect, much like the ocean’s surface.

With each new detail coming together, we are one step closer to bringing Navia’s vision of intentional, immersive relaxation to life.

Come for the heat, stay for the hygge.

-Lucia, Navia Co-Founder