Othership invites you on a wellness 'journey' in New York

If there’s one thing the world needs more of, it’s ‘social saunas’. Thank goodness, then, for Othership, a restorative, new sauna and ice bath in New York that emphasises meaningful connections.

The custom-designed 60-square-metre performance sauna is the largest in New York and the focus of what Othership calls a wellness ‘journey’. With seating for 75 guests, it reaches temperatures of up to 88C, though aromatic ‘snowballs’ produce humidity that makes the space feel more like 93C. The sauna leads into a cold-plunge sanctuary with space for 16 and an amphitheatre-style tea lounge. Everything flows intuitively over a figure-eight plan.

The cedar-panelled space was imagined by Futurestudio, a practice based in Toronto, home of Otherships’ two sister locations. A team led by founding principal Ali McQuaid Mitchell designed the interiors to support relaxation and immersion, build community and empower customers to be kind to themselves. They began at the street entrance, draping the façade with a custom textile by Studio La Beauté. Guests pass through spaces enveloped in natural timber, river rocks, earth-toned ceramic tiles and pebble stone flooring from Akua Mosaics as they progress from reception to the change rooms.

Specialists offer guided classes, free flows, and breathwork sessions to a state-of-the-art sound system. Candlelight and sound therapy instruments—such as a four-foot wind chime in the cold plunge room—support a calm and encouraging atmosphere. Six sunken cold tubs in two sizes are available for solo or group ‘journeys’.

The immense 650-square-metre space is compartmentalised with intimate gathering ‘nooks’ in key areas. Between sessions, conversations are encouraged in the tea lounge, with its full-height fireplace and celestial orb-shaped light, custom-designed by Futurestudio and Anony. More fabric panels by Studio La Beauté emulate rippling water and soften the clean-lined space. Elsewhere, Noguchi rice paper lamps and Dimple Sconces by Rich Brilliant Willing give the space an amber warmth.

‘Every element harmonises to support the founders’ vision of redefining wellness through immersive and connecting experiences,’ says McQuaid Mitchell.

23 W 20th St, New York, NY 10011 USA