Akari Sauna: A Brooklyn Sanctuary Infused with Japanese Bathing Rituals
In the bustling landscape of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, a unique wellness destination has emerged, drawing profound inspiration from Japan's venerable bathing traditions. Akari sauna, co-founded by Shayna Olsan and Luke Carstens, offers a meticulously crafted sanctuary that reimagines the communal and meditative aspects of Japanese onsens and sentลs for a contemporary urban audience.
The Essence of Japanese Bathing in Brooklyn
Japanese onsens (natural hot springs) and sentลs (public bathhouses) are more than just places for physical cleansing; they are deeply ingrained cultural institutions promoting relaxation, community, and spiritual rejuvenation. Akari captures this essence through its thoughtful design and experiential focus. The guiding principle was to create a calming environment where natural materials and a serene aesthetic foster a sense of tranquility akin to these traditional Japanese spaces.
Design Philosophy and Material Palette
The interior of Akari, located on Franklin Avenue, is a testament to this philosophy. A natural material palette, deliberately chosen for its calming properties, predominates throughout the space. Timber, stone, and subtle lighting elements evoke the simplicity and natural beauty often found in Japanese architecture and bathhouses. This considered approach ensures that every surface and texture contributes to an overarching sense of peace and warmth, encouraging visitors to slow down and immerse themselves fully in the experience.
Collaborative Visionaries Behind Akari
The realization of Akariโs distinct vision was a collaborative effort involving a team of experienced professionals. Founders Shayna Olsan and Luke Carstens spearheaded the project, envisioning a space that would translate the profound benefits of Japanese thermal culture. They enlisted the expertise of designer Erin Carstens, whose aesthetic sensibilities were crucial in translating the conceptual vision into tangible design. Further structural and spatial integrity was provided by architects Stroop Design, while thermal consultant Kiel Moe contributed specialized knowledge to optimize the saunaโs functionality and ensure an authentic, effective thermal experience.
Akari: A Modern Interpretation of Ancient Rituals
Akari stands as a compelling example of how ancient traditions can be reinterpreted and integrated into modern urban environments. By meticulously studying and adapting the principles of Japanese bathingโfrom the use of natural materials to the emphasis on quiet contemplation and communal wellnessโAkari provides a much-needed respite. It offers a space where the noise and demands of city life can recede, allowing individuals to connect with themselves and others in a peaceful, health-promoting setting.
Summary
Akari sauna in Greenpoint is a thoughtfully designed wellness space that successfully channels the serene and restorative spirit of Japanese onsens and sentลs. Through a collaborative design process and a commitment to natural materials and a calming aesthetic, founders Shayna Olsan and Luke Carstens, alongside their design team, have created a unique sanctuary that bridges cultural traditions with contemporary well-being needs in Brooklyn.
Resources
Details
Author
Top articles
 }})
You can now watch HBO Max for $10
Latest articles
You can now watch HBO Max for $10
In the bustling landscape of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, a unique wellness destination has emerged, drawing profound inspiration from Japan's venerable bathing traditions. Akari sauna, co-founded by Shayna Olsan and Luke Carstens, offers a meticulously crafted sanctuary that reimagines the communal and meditative aspects of Japanese onsens and sentลs for a contemporary urban audience.
The Essence of Japanese Bathing in Brooklyn
Japanese onsens (natural hot springs) and sentลs (public bathhouses) are more than just places for physical cleansing; they are deeply ingrained cultural institutions promoting relaxation, community, and spiritual rejuvenation. Akari captures this essence through its thoughtful design and experiential focus. The guiding principle was to create a calming environment where natural materials and a serene aesthetic foster a sense of tranquility akin to these traditional Japanese spaces.
Design Philosophy and Material Palette
The interior of Akari, located on Franklin Avenue, is a testament to this philosophy. A natural material palette, deliberately chosen for its calming properties, predominates throughout the space. Timber, stone, and subtle lighting elements evoke the simplicity and natural beauty often found in Japanese architecture and bathhouses. This considered approach ensures that every surface and texture contributes to an overarching sense of peace and warmth, encouraging visitors to slow down and immerse themselves fully in the experience.
Collaborative Visionaries Behind Akari
The realization of Akariโs distinct vision was a collaborative effort involving a team of experienced professionals. Founders Shayna Olsan and Luke Carstens spearheaded the project, envisioning a space that would translate the profound benefits of Japanese thermal culture. They enlisted the expertise of designer Erin Carstens, whose aesthetic sensibilities were crucial in translating the conceptual vision into tangible design. Further structural and spatial integrity was provided by architects Stroop Design, while thermal consultant Kiel Moe contributed specialized knowledge to optimize the saunaโs functionality and ensure an authentic, effective thermal experience.
Akari: A Modern Interpretation of Ancient Rituals
Akari stands as a compelling example of how ancient traditions can be reinterpreted and integrated into modern urban environments. By meticulously studying and adapting the principles of Japanese bathingโfrom the use of natural materials to the emphasis on quiet contemplation and communal wellnessโAkari provides a much-needed respite. It offers a space where the noise and demands of city life can recede, allowing individuals to connect with themselves and others in a peaceful, health-promoting setting.
Summary
Akari sauna in Greenpoint is a thoughtfully designed wellness space that successfully channels the serene and restorative spirit of Japanese onsens and sentลs. Through a collaborative design process and a commitment to natural materials and a calming aesthetic, founders Shayna Olsan and Luke Carstens, alongside their design team, have created a unique sanctuary that bridges cultural traditions with contemporary well-being needs in Brooklyn.
Resources
Top articles
You can now watch HBO Max for $10
Latest articles
You can now watch HBO Max for $10
Similar posts
This is a page that only logged-in people can visit. Don't you feel special? Try clicking on a button below to do some things you can't do when you're logged out.
Example modal
At your leisure, please peruse this excerpt from a whale of a tale.
Chapter 1: Loomings.
Call me Ishmael. Some years agoโnever mind how long preciselyโhaving little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen and regulating the circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people's hats offโthen, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. This is my substitute for pistol and ball. With a philosophical flourish Cato throws himself upon his sword; I quietly take to the ship. There is nothing surprising in this. If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me.
Comment