VIM Oblique

The Oblique Sauna — a Superior collaboration and a new era of CLT sauna design

The first sauna of its kind in North America: the Oblique is a fully CLT-built sauna where the actual sauna interior is made of exposed cross-laminated timber — not concealed behind interior cladding.

This innovative approach, engineered and manufactured in the USA, introduces a new standard in sauna performance and construction.

Born from an exclusive design partnership between Superior Saunas and VIM Sauna, the Oblique reimagines what modern sauna can be: midcentury-inspired architecture, delivered with modular precision and American craftsmanship.

Optimized Heat & Authentic Löyly

The gently angled roofline guides steam upward and across the seating area, creating deep, rolling löyly—the kind perfected over generations of Finnish bathing culture.
The form isn’t just beautiful; it meaningfully elevates the thermal experience.

Exposed CLT Interior — Unique Among All USA-Made Saunas

The Oblique is the only sauna manufactured in North America that uses exposed CLT as the sauna’s interior surface.

Where other American-made CLT saunas hide their CLT behind layers of cladding, the Oblique celebrates the purity and performance of the material itself.

This offers:

• A monolithic, stable thermal envelope

• Reduced long-term movement and fewer failure points

• Lower overall weight

• A clean, architectural interior aesthetic

Red Cedar CLT — A North American Exclusive

The Oblique is the first and only red-cedar CLT sauna made in North America—a breakthrough in engineered wood technology.
This innovation unites the iconic warmth of red cedar with the structural integrity of CLT, creating a sauna interior unlike anything else available domestically.

Precision-Engineered Panels — Assemble in 4 Hours or Less

The Oblique ships as CNC-cut CLT precision panels designed for effortless onsite assembly.
Two people can build the entire sauna in 3–4 hours, using 90% fewer fasteners than a traditional sauna kit.

Or choose a fully assembled Oblique, available beginning January 2026.

A CLT Sauna That Goes Where Others Can't

Each panel is engineered for manageable transport, allowing installation in locations inaccessible to machinery or large delivery vehicles—rooftops, lakeshores, wooded paths, and remote cabins.

This flexibility is unique to modular CLT construction in North America.

Midcentury Modern Form, Superior Sauna Function

• North American–engineered CLT structure with high-quality exterior cladding

• Designed, fabricated, and assembled in Ashland, Wisconsin with CNC precision

• Tempered glass windows and optional glass door

• Moveable benches ideal for traditional sauna, stretching, hot yoga, and resistance training

• Subtle, warm interior lighting for a calming atmosphere

• A powerful stove engineered for balanced, authentic sauna heat

• Fast, intuitive assembly with clean, simplified joinery

Every detail honors the midcentury design ethos: clarity, efficiency, and purpose.

Optimized Heat & Authentic Löyly

The gently angled roofline guides steam upward and across the seating area, creating deep, rolling löyly—the kind perfected over generations of Finnish bathing culture.
The form isn’t just beautiful; it meaningfully elevates the thermal experience.

A Vision Made Real Through Collaboration

The concept began with a spark from the founder of VIM—an aesthetic shaped by the midcentury coastal cabins of Oregon. Superior Saunas’ CEO, David Dragseth, translated that inspiration into a sketch filled with intention and possibility.

From that early drawing, David and Superior’s Director of Product Development & Special Projects, Justus Benson, worked closely with VIM to refine every angle, joint, and proportion.
What emerged is a sauna that represents the strengths of both teams: bold design, refined engineering, and truly authentic heat.

Inspired by Midcentury Architecture.

Engineered for Modern Life.

Midcentury homes were celebrated for their simplicity, efficiency, and human-centered design.
The Oblique brings that spirit into today’s world through:

• Modular construction

• Space-efficient footprint

• Minimal hardware

• Rapid installation

• Engineered longevity

It is both architecture and product—crafted for daily enjoyment and decades of reliability.

Starting at $22,950

Shipping and on-site assembly pricing varies by configuration and location.
Fully assembled units begin delivery January 2026.