Giant golden egg warms up Sweden’s northernmost town

Swedish artists Bigert & Bergström have created a golden egg-shaped sauna on a snow-topped hillside in Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost town.

The "Solar Egg", which was commissioned by Swedish property manager Riksbyggen, is made out of stainless golden mirror sheeting, with a multifaceted facade reflecting images at varying angles.

The egg’s interior has been formed out of wood, with the wall panels and floor decking made from pine and the bench from aspen. In the centre of the egg is a heart-shaped sauna stove made out of iron and stone

Bigert & Bergström said the egg was a response to the digging of mine works in Kiruna, which is disrupting the town’s geography.

They commented: "The iron ore is vital for the town of Kiruna. No mine, no town. But the breaking up and devastating transformation of the landscape, the environment and the architecture caused by the move are also sparking a lot of debate.

"Solar Egg has been made as a social sculpture where local people and visitors to the town can meet and, for instance, discuss these challenges. In the arctic climate of Lapland the sauna occupies a key position as a room for warmth and reflection."

Images courtesy of Bigert & Bergström