solar egg, a gold mirrored sauna in sweden by bigert & bergström

glimmering in solitude among the snow-laden landscape, stands a distinctive public sauna erected by artistic duo mats bigert and lars bergström. titled the solar egg, the installation stands at five meters high and four meters wide; the smooth and multi-faceted envelope or ‘shell’ wrapped in gold-plated stainless steel. a total of 69 separate pieces make up the egg’s exterior, reflecting glimpses of the swedish town of luossabacken in kiruna in the distance.

all images © jean-baptiste béranger

the project was commissioned by swedish developer riksbyggen to commemorate the growth of kiruna’s urban landscape which involves the relocation of entire city districts in response to ground subsidence caused by decades of iron ore mining. bigert & bergström’s response saw an oval-shaped sauna being created as a symbol of rebirth and as an homage to kiruna’s iron ore fields. a delicately-framed staircase reveals the entrance, an opening that appears to have cracked open to invite guests inside. the multi-faceted character is continued inside but instead, finished in pine wood. at the center, heat is emitted by a heart-shaped wood-fired burner.

the unusual yet familiar shape appears to have landed into the arctic landscape

located in sweden’s northernmost town, the solar egg is a warm welcome and anintimate space of reflection for locals and visitors to take part in the unique sauna experience. created with the intention to be transportable, the faceted-structure can be de-constructed piece-by-piece and relocated to different locations within the city.

artists bigert & bergström created the sculptural chamber in the form of an egg-shaped sauna

‘saunas are places that fascinate. when riksbyggen asked us to interpret kiruna, we felt it was natural to explore a space that unites and encourages conversation,’ comments artists mats bigert and lars bergström. ‘saunas are sacrosanct places where you can discuss all manner of things – from the big to the small.’

the entrance is a crack and interrupts the shell to reveal the timber sauna interior

the project continues bigert & bergström’s exploration with humanity’s relationship to climate, nature, energy and technology. on this occasion, the solar egg stands as a sculptural symbol that prompts thoughts of rebirth and an incubator that nurtures conversation and exchanges of ideas.

a wood-heated, heart-shaped sauna stove made out of iron and stone stands at the core