Basalt recently attended the International Sauna Congress in Oslo to learn, connect with others in the field and experience Oslo’s growing sauna culture firsthand.

During the conference, Lisa Starr, spa and wellness industry consultant and founder of Wynne Business, spoke with Basalt partners Hrólfur Karl Cela and Perla Dís Kristinsdóttir about bathing architecture, sauna culture and our approach to designing spaces around water and wellbeing.

From Lisa Starr's description:

What happens when an ancient wellness tradition meets a new wave of global enthusiasm?

Recorded at the International Sauna Congress in Oslo, Norway, Lisa Starr explores the rapidly evolving world of sauna and sweat culture with leaders, practitioners, and architects shaping its future. From preserving centuries-old traditions to the rise of Aufguss, sauna masters, thermal experiences, and more inclusive bathing environments, these conversations reveal why sauna is becoming an increasingly important part of the global wellness landscape. The Congress itself brought together 600 attendees from 30 countries, reflecting the extraordinary international interest in sauna culture. 

Listen to the conversation here (interview with Hrólfur and Perla starts at 41:07):