Russian Banya

The Russian Banya we designed and built on Lake Dunmore was the company’s first residential project, and at the point, the most extensive in terms of scope. Never one to back down from a challenge, however, our lead designer was confident the team had the necessary skills to complete a building in its entirety. The job began in the winter, and the unpredictable New England season was exacerbated by the unique weather patterns of the lake. But the job was important to help us realize what running a business would require, and determining what type of work the company would pursue going forward. Experience designing and constructing a building in its entirety also built team confidence. Our team understands all the steps involved in how something is built, and so our design for the interior is cohesive with the structure of the building. This helps us better communicate with architects and builders we collaborate with. 

After 8 months of hard work and shitty weather, we were feeling pretty discouraged. We knew the client wasn’t unhappy with our work, but he hadn’t expressed positive affirmation either. Until, that is, his father came to visit from Russia. In Russian culture, the banya carries important significance, and owning one is a symbol of success.

The next day, we received an email from the client telling us that his father had said it was the best banya he’d ever been in. That’s a win in our book. ∆