The Third place: Why Sauna Can Be More Than Just Heat
In a world that often feels fast, transactional, and overstimulating, many of us are quietly seeking something more: a space to simply be. Not home. Not work. Something in between.
This is what sociologists refer to as the third place, a vital part of everyday life that fosters connection, balance, and a sense of belonging.
What is a third place?
The concept of the third place was first coined in the book The Great Good Place by Ray Oldenburg, a sociologist. Your first place is home. Your second space is work. The third is where community happens - cafes, libraries, studios, parks, and neighbourhood spots where people can get together, informally and without obligation.
These spaces aren’t really about output or achievement. They’re about presence. Third spaces are often subtle - marked by small conversations, shared silence, and familiar faces. And when they’re missing, we feel it.
Why we need them more than ever
London is one of the busiest cities in the world - this is great on one hand, but a lot of our time is spent in spaces designed for productivity or consumption. We’re constantly doing, buying, or moving toward the next thing. Genuine moments of pause can be hard to come by.
Third spaces provide a counterbalance. They offer a setting where we’re not expected to perform. Research in urban studies and wellbeing highlights the importance of these shared, neutral environments for reducing isolation and supporting mental health. They remind us that being still can be just as valuable as being busy.
Oldenburg's coauthor Karen Christensen recently posited that third places can be the answer to loneliness, political polarisation, and climate resilience.
What makes a Sauna a third place?
Think of going to the sauna not just as a wellness treatment, but as a weekly ritual. Its can be an antidote to the smart-phone-glued-to-your-hand-phenomenon, be a space to still your mind, reset, and reconnect with yourself and maybe even others.
You can go alone or with a friend. Speak or stay silent. Sweat, plunge, sip tea, and/or just sit still.
It’s is not a space for productivity. It’s a space for presence.
We open our doors this summer
Sign up to be the first to hear when bookings go live, and get access to founding member offers
