New from KLAFS: sauna GESA by Gesa Hansen

Japandi-style enters the spa world

With the sauna GESA, KLAFS, the world market leader in sauna design, once again presents an innovative design statement characterised by exceptional aesthetics and a new level of comfort. In developing design concepts for reinterpretations of the Finnish sauna, KLAFS continues its collaboration with renowned designers. Designed entirely in black and white, with precise lines and two large insulating glass fronts, the new sauna GESA combines Scandinavian cosiness with Japanese minimalism - the Japandi style. The result is a new sense of security. This unique sauna, with many - previously unknown - details in sauna construction, was created in collaboration with Danish-German designer Gesa Hansen, who lives in Paris.

An inspiration to the entire sauna and spa industry, KLAFS continues to set trends with outstanding design, bold innovations and unusual ideas. Stylish design language, a sense of proportion and material and the experience of space - in short, the elegance and formal beauty of a sauna - play a central role in KLAFS' product philosophy. In cooperation with big names from the world of design, as is now the case with Gesa Hansen, exclusive oases of well-being are created that are second to none. Gesa Hansen studied at Bauhaus University in Weimar and worked for several renowned agencies, including in Japan. After returning, she took over her father Hans Hansen's company and presented her first collection under the label 'The Hansen Family' in 2009. For the GESA sauna project, she specifically sought the expertise of KLAFS.

Exceptionally balanced

The unmistakable character of the GESA sauna is reflected in its precise interplay of lines and carefully crafted design. A distinctive element of this special design concept are the deep black wall panels - inspired by Yakisugi wood. During the traditional, Japanese manufacturing process, the wood is first charred and then quenched with cold water. A process reminiscent of the sauna session itself. The reproduction of the Yakisugi wood adopts this extraordinary aesthetic. The black look is a clear contrast to the white wooden surfaces of the recliners and the white upholstery of the sauna heater. "The Yakisugi look and white contrast are completely new and it took KLAFS and Gesa countless hours and a lot of perseverance together to bring it to life," says Gesa. Special concepts and ideas, which are characteristic of Gesa's design style, she passionately contributed to the development of this sauna," says KLAFS CEO Phillip Rock. Fire and water. Hot and cold. Black and white - with this interplay, a unique relaxation space has been created, in which you not only find an exciting duality, but also your own balance.

Sauna equipment reinterpreted

The crowning glory of the design and wood craftsmanship is the sauna ceiling with its impressive 3D herringbone pattern. This makes the ceiling look almost sculptural. The pattern is made by hand in a complex process at KLAFS. This gives the ceiling its own special significance: "The design of the ceiling was particularly important to me. After all, you often lie in the sauna and look up. The beautiful look now invites you to dream," Gesa Hansen explains. The herringbone pattern recurs on the walls, further emphasising the exclusive nature of her design. The designer also uses large insulating glass fronts, which extend across the full width and height of two side walls. This very defining design element gives the sauna its unique elegance. The large glass fronts not only impress with their visual size, but also allow heat to be stored in the cabin for longer. As less heat is lost, less energy is consumed.

Thanks to the shelf system connected from outside to one of the glass fronts, a sense of calm, security and intimacy enters, despite the generous openness. The shelf system is intended as a lifestyle library, where decorative objects are given space to display themselves. In addition to homeliness and security, it gives the sauna GESA an extra personal touch. By deliberately avoiding solidity and focusing on a filigree, purist look with a clear design language, the sauna GESA is an example of how timeless design works. The sauna fits just as well in a warm, natural country house as in a modern loft, an old building or in a cosy beach house. The cabin naturally emphasises its 'homely' character and creates a special place of well-being. The sauna GESA is a decorative highlight in the room. Even the hidden technology does not disturb the image and the sauna experience. Here, the comfort and personal well-being of the sauna visitor are clearly and uncompromisingly central.

In search of iconic forms

When developing the sauna GESA, particular attention was paid to finding iconic shapes and unusual combinations of colours and materials. Step by step, the designer and KLAFS perfected the concept over several months with many small, detailed solutions. The result is a sauna cabin of exceptional quality - a sauna with craftsmanship, high quality and personality. For this, the international jury of the Red Dot Design Award 2022 awarded the renowned award to the sauna GESA in the 'Product Design' category for the highest design quality. "Together with Gesa Hansen, we share a weakness for saunas. What attracted us most to the collaboration was her distinctive style, her feminine take on sauna design and her uncompromising demands on design. Interior and product design are very closely intertwined to create true homeliness for oases of tranquillity. The challenge with a project like this, is to consistently pursue that and execute it at the highest level of quality down to the smallest detail," Phillip Rock said.

Gesa Hansen agrees: "I have always wanted to design a sauna. The shared high aesthetic standards and enthusiasm for timeless and sustainable design brought us together. On both sides there was the courage, spirit of innovation and enthusiasm to break completely new ground. We were sure that something unique would emerge from this project - and it did."

Cosiness, comfort and flair with the matching spa collection

The design concept of the sauna GESA is harmoniously rounded off by its own MOLLIS^® GESA line from KLAFS. The sauna mats and cushions perfect the sauna experience with comfort and cosiness. Visually, the new creations hark back to the Japandi style and its unique feel-good atmosphere. The Shibori batik technique, for example, is typically Japanese and provides the characteristic look of the accessories here. The fabric is folded and knotted in such a way that bright patterns with stripes or circles are created when dyed. The interplay between the indigo blue of the coloured fabric and the black and white of the sauna creates a harmonious overall look with an exciting aesthetic. But GESA's world also extends beyond the sauna session: Gesa Hansen has designed a spa textile line especially for KLAFS for relaxing breaks. Snuggle up in the soft bedspread or dive into the matching sauna towel. The designer has developed a stylish fabric pattern that completes the wellness feeling around the sauna GESA. For this, Gesa Hansen has taken the Japanese wave motif and reinterpreted it.

The sauna GESA is available in the original design in Black and White and in the variant GESA nature. The sauna GESA nature is equipped with walls made of alder wood with Yakisugi look and a ceiling made of hemlock. As additional lighting, the SUNSET system for discreet and glare-free lighting of the backrest or the POLAR starry sky can be chosen. In this way, the private oasis can be individually equipped as desired with versatile details and accessories - for pure, relaxing and healthy enjoyment.

More information on KLAFS can be found at: www.klafs.nl