WATERSHED Sauna, Lake Whakatipu, Queenstown

JSC supplied timber for New Zealand’s first floating sauna on Lake Whakatipu. Developed by WATERSHED, in collaboration with CTRL Space and Makespace, the project sits on a floating pontoon at St Omer Wharf, offering a wellness experience closely connected to its alpine surroundings. 

The architecture is deliberately understated, allowing the landscape to remain the focus. A restrained material palette reinforces this approach, with sustainably sourced Vitex used across interior and exterior surfaces, and TMT Amba introducing a lighter tonal contrast within the reception and lounge areas.

Together, these materials establish a cohesive, natural finish that supports the overall design intent.

Explore the full project details in the detailed Project Timber Document