A timber-clad sauna and bathhouse built on stilts has opened to the public in the town of Karlshamn on the southern coast of Sweden.

The 200sq m (2,152sq ft) Kallbadhus – Swedish for “the cold bath house” – is located along a wooden beach promenade and sits at a height of three metres above sea level.

Designed by Gothenburg-based architects White Arkitekten, the SEK8m (US$925,000, £716,000, €821,000) bath house is owned and operated by local organisation Kallbadhusets Vänner (Friends of the Bath House).

The house has two saunas – one for men and another for women – which are flanked by a common room and an adjoining relaxation terrace.

Designed to maximise the dramatic view of the Karlshamn bay, the saunas are located near the stairs for easy access into the water below.

The sun terraces are designed to receive as much sun exposure as possible while simultaneously offering protection from the wind.

The exterior facades are clad with a flat wood panelling and have been treated with a grey-pigmented oil which will eventually give way to the wood’s own natural grey patina.

Kallbadhus is part of a strategy to tap into the region’s heritage in “sea bathing” and to attract tourists to Karlshamn – as well as enable local residents to enjoy the sea all year round.

A spokesperson for White Arkitekten said: “Karlshamn has a long tradition of bathing in the sea.

“The only element missing was a bathhouse, which is the quintessential symbol in Sweden for year round dips in the water.

“That has now been rectified by Kallbadhusets Vänner, which – together with local sponsors and the municipality – was able to realise its collective long-time ambition of offering local residents the option to enjoy the sea all year round.

“The public swimming hall, a well-known local establishment, is in close proximity to Kallbadhus; as a group, they form a truly unique opportunity to swim in an indoor pool, outdoor pool or hopping into the water from the new bathhouse.”