The Sauna Path – International Sauna Congress, ISC26 in Oslo
Anssi Lassila will address the role of the sauna path as an important element in the sauna experience in his presentation at the International Sauna Congress, ISC26 in Oslo on Friday, September 25, 2026. He will also participate in a panel discussion on the future of sauna architecture.
Equality, shared responsibility, mutual support, connection with nature — these values form the foundation of the culture of well-being in Finland, and the tradition of saunas is an important part of it. More than being just a building or a place, the sauna is a ritual. The path leading to the sauna is a significant part of the experience of sauna bathing, be it in a public sauna in the city or a secluded one in nature.
An International Congress on Saunas
International Sauna Congress (ISC) is the official congress of the International Sauna Association. The congress is organized every fourth year, each time in a different country. The first congress was held in Bielefeld, Germany, in 1956.
ISC26 is held in Oslo, Norway, September 24th–26th 2026. Hosted by Norwegian Sauna Society (Norges Badstulaug), ISC26 takes place at Rebel Conference Center in downtown Oslo and at The Well, Scandinavia’s biggest spa.
Bringing the sauna world together, the program features speakers from all over the world. The goal of the congress is to promote scientific studies of the sauna covering a wide range of topics from social history, folklore, medicine, economy and technology.
The Sauna Path – Sauna as a Ritual
- Friday, September 25, 2026
- International Sauna Congress, ISC26
- Architecture, Technology and Sustainability
- Lecture at 11:30 by Anssi Lassila: The Sauna Path – Sauna as a Ritual
- Rebel, Universitetsgata 2, Oslo
In his talk, Anssi Lassila look at the experience of sauna as a ritual. He will focus on the importance of the Sauna Path, the journey that we take to reach the peaceful state of mind when mentally and physically preparing for the sauna experience.
In the presentation, Anssi Lassila will address contemporary sauna culture through the lens of architecture. He will share examples of the pivotal role that sauna buildings have played in forming places that support well-being in our daily lives. Looking at a range of different types of sauna buildings in different kinds of places from public to private, from urban to rural, he will open a view into the poetics of architecture as an integral part of the sauna path.
The lecture presents examples of saunas made of exquisite hand carved logs, saunas that bring new life to the contemporary context of historically valuable buildings, saunas as an illustration of adaptive re-use, as well as designs for sauna and spa complexes built on a floating platform made of CLT.
Focusing on saunas as places for well-being, Anssi Lassila highlights architectural strategies for maintaining and enhancing our relationship to the natural environment by re-establishing the connection with the element of water in our lives. Looking at a range of different types of sauna buildings from public to private, from urban to rural, opens a view into the poetics of architecture as an integral part of the Sauna Path.
Panel discussion on the Future of Sauna Architecture
- Panel discussion at 16:00
- The Future of Sauna Architecture
- Sami Rintala, Anssi Lassila, Bjørnar Skaar Haveland
- Hillevi Olsson (moderator)
Moderated by Hillevi Olsson, the panel will discuss the future of sauna architecture. Architects Sami Rintala, Anssi Lassila and Bjørnar Skaar Haveland will share their thinkin around questuons like: Where is sauna design heading? How do architects balance bold form with good löyly and comfort? And, as signature saunas become tourist magnets, what might we lose along the way?
Organizers
The International Sauna Association (ISA) is an association of national and other sauna societies, organisations and private people. Founded in 1958, it has 21 national members around the world today. The mission of ISA is to pursue the goal of publicizing the sauna and promoting its use on a global scale.
A member of International Sauna Association, the Norwegian Sauna Society (Norges Badstulaug) is the national sauna association of Norway. With more than 200 sauna operators all over Norway as members, its mission is to build, promote and preserve Norwegian badstue culture, and to make badstue accessible for all.