The sound of water sizzling on scalding stones fills the air, accompanied by the gentle trickle of sweat down the backs of sauna enthusiasts. The wooden benches radiate heat, reminiscent of sunbaked sand. A panoramic window reveals the Oulu River delta below, showcasing the lush greenery of a northern Finnish summer.
Armi Ruusuvirta adds another ladle of water to the sauna stove, exhaling deeply.
“What could be a better wellbeing business than a traditional Finnish sauna, paired with the chance to swim in frigid waters?” she muses.
But can this quintessentially Finnish experience flourish outside Finland’s borders?
Ruusuvirta firmly believes it can. Her ambitious vision for Olosauna extends well beyond a single floating sauna in Oulu; she envisions a concept that could be replicated across the globe.
So, what sets Olosauna apart from other sauna experiences?
Integrating Well-being Into Daily Life
Olosauna offers stunning views of the surrounding riverscape. Guests have even spotted otters, oystercatchers, and fish leaping from the water.
Wellbeing is a consistent focus throughout Ruusuvirta’s diverse career. Before launching into entrepreneurship, she honed her skills as an agronomist and designer, gaining insights into organic farming, care design, and spatial planning.
Across these varied experiences, one fundamental principle unites her work: a belief that wellbeing can be cultivated through our environment, the food we consume, and the everyday choices we make.
“At the heart of it all was my desire for a work life rooted in creating wellbeing,” Ruusuvirta reflects.
The sauna’s walls are adorned with displays of traditional Finnish household items.
Given this backdrop, the establishment of a public sauna feels like a natural progression for her. Collaborating with designer Ilmari Mäenpää from spatial design firm Olokoto, she crafted the Olosauna concept.
Olosauna transcends the traditional notions of sauna and steam—the warm, misty air that fills the room when water is splashed onto the heated stones. This innovative concept seamlessly blends community, interaction, and Finnish design. Hosting a variety of events, Olosauna aims to foster connection among guests. It serves as a sanctuary for relaxation and a space to nurture personal wellbeing, complete with a café offering electrolyte drinks. All this unfolds on a beautifully designed floating raft amidst nature’s splendor.
The name ‘Olosauna’ derives from the Finnish word indicating a person’s wellbeing—an embodiment of the essence of feeling good.
A Time-Honored Finnish Tradition
The outdoor sauna, constructed on floating pontoons, features a central courtyard for activities like concerts and yoga classes.
For Ruusuvirta, the sauna has held a cherished place in her life since childhood, a sentiment shared by many Finns. In Finland, the sauna is not a rare luxury but a daily ritual—an integral part of life that welcomes everyone.
Her affinity for the sauna deepened when she settled in a riverside home, where regular swims complemented her sauna experiences.
The café caters to guests with a selection of refreshments and snacks to enjoy post-sauna.
“I believe the combination of sauna and natural swimming creates a grounding, restorative experience,” she notes. “It’s an incredibly effective way to recover.”
Following her swims, Ruusuvirta emerges feeling rejuvenated, shedding the burdens of everyday life in the water. The warm embrace of the sauna serves as the perfect conclusion to her ritual.
“For us Finns, this is such a familiar way to unwind,” she says, emphasizing its significance as one of life’s foundations.
A Contemporary Village Sauna
Dark-toned walls create a soothing atmosphere. “They offer a gentle embrace,” Ruusuvirta explains while recalling traditional sauna aesthetics.
In September 2025, Ruusuvirta inaugurated Olosauna in Oulu, the largest city in northern Finland.
She regards it as a modern village sauna—a welcoming haven for relaxation and social interaction.
“In the sauna, all social and economic distinctions vanish when we shed our clothes,” Ruusuvirta observes. “In this space, we are all equals on the benches.”
As she contemplates future possibilities, Ruusuvirta is keen to see whether the Olosauna concept can thrive beyond Finnish shores. Cities like Stockholm, various locations within Europe, and even Japan are on her radar.
But for now, in the serenity of Oulu, she has lingered in the sauna long enough—it’s time for a cool dip.
The Oulu River’s water is a brisk 16 degrees Celsius (61 degrees Fahrenheit). Initially jarring on warmed skin, it soon becomes refreshing and invigorating. Plunging beneath the surface evokes a feeling akin to rebirth.
With a sense of relaxation and renewal, Ruusuvirta ascends back onto the sauna raft.
Embracing Finland’s Sauna Culture
In winter, adventurous swimmers can take a dip in an ice hole, kept open by circulating pumps that prevent refreezing.
- Sauna is woven into the fabric of daily life in Finland, and its culture is recognized as part of Unesco’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- Finns frequent the sauna accompanied by family, friends, and sometimes complete strangers, particularly in public spaces like spas or gyms.
- While nudity is commonplace, customs vary; some public saunas require swimwear.
- Swimming in a lake or sea is often part of the sauna experience, and during winter, holes may be carved in the ice for swimmers.
- The sauna serves as both a private retreat and a communal space.
- The word “sauna” has Finnish origins and is used in multiple languages to describe the traditional steam bath.
- Beyond Olosauna, Oulu boasts several other public saunas, including Mallassauna, Black Sauna, and Lainesauna.
Text and photos: Emilia Kangasluoma, August 2026