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Description
Architect MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects
Contractor Axios Construction
Concept Design Matthew Bishop
Photography Hannah Newton
The sleeve is designed as a protective covering for a sauna door handle, combining function with material refinement. It is crafted from vegetable-tanned leather, chosen for its natural durability and ability to age gracefully in response to touch, heat, and humidity. The leather is hand-stitched and tailored to fit securely, allowing the handle to remain comfortable to the touch even in elevated temperatures. With continued use, the sleeve will soften and develop a patina, reflecting the environment in which it is placed.
The piece draws reference from traditional leather applications in Scandinavian sauna culture and from contemporary approaches to material honesty in design. It highlights the role of leather not only as a tactile surface, but as a functional interface between user and architecture.