Banya
In the fall of 2017, I built a banya in my backyard with the help of family and friends. It was a dream I had since first experiencing bathing in one while visiting family in rural Russia in 2011. The banya was the primary way by which they bathed since they did not have a bathtub or shower inside the house. In slavic folklore there is a banya spirit called Банник / Bannik, who is both a diviner and protector. The process of building the banya was a chance to put my architecture skills to use on a project so near and dear to me, and gain experience in the hands-on construction of a small building with very specific needs and conditions. There is much human history that is intertwined with bathing and healing practices such as banya, temazcal, sauna, etc. and I am honored to be continuing this tradition for myself and for others who get to experience the practical magic of the banya.
