A space for thought and conversation

A space that invites connection

When creative director Mark Chalmers commissioned a Falco Sauna, we were curious how he would weave it into his life. The Falco seats up to six people, and his is sited at the bottom of his Amsterdam garden, perched above water and reeds. A large panoramic window faces the canal so the view becomes a constantly changing artwork — boats gliding past, clouds shifting over trees, birds landing on the water. Below is an edited conversation about how the sauna fuels Mark’s creativity and community.

OOTV: Mark, you’re known for creating places where artists and brands meet. Why add a handcrafted sauna to your garden?

Mark: I founded The Garage Amsterdam as a space for visiting artists to stay, create and connect. When I discovered OOTV’s work, I realised a sauna could play a similar role at home. The Falco’s design — warm timber, clean lines and that huge window — felt in line with my values. I practise the Wim Hof Method and wanted a ritual that combined heat with cold. Having the sauna tucked into the garden means it’s immersed in nature. On winter mornings mist hangs over the canal, and you’re sitting in a cocoon of heat watching the world wake up.

OOTV: How has your daily routine changed?

Mark: It begins outside now. I wake early, the cats and head down the garden. Twenty minutes in the sauna, followed by a cold plunge or shower, resets my body and mind. As a Wim Hof instructor I’ve seen how this combination builds energy, reduces stress and sharpens focus. Sitting on the wooden benches, looking through that vast pane of glass at the water, ideas settle. It’s like staring at a living painting that’s never the same twice. Those shifts mirror my thinking process.

“I actually look forward to using it in a sort of weirdly excited, naughty way” — Mark Chalmers

OOTV: Do you use the space for work as well as well‑being?

Mark: Absolutely. I run Chalming Co. and The Garage, so my days are filled with briefs and meetings. The Falco has become an informal boardroom. Clients and collaborators love it. We’ll do a heat cycle, step outside to cool off, then return to the benches with renewed perspective. In that relaxed state conversation becomes honest and imaginative. A recent brand strategy was born while we watched rain ripple across the canal. The view anchored us in the present and opened up new metaphors for the campaign.

Conversation and community

OOTV: Does the sauna support your wider community work?

Mark: It’s a social magnet. Friends, neighbours and visiting artists all want to experience it. We’ve hosted “sauna nights” where a small group discuss art or culture between heat and cold. The large window turns the outside into a fourth participant; sometimes a swan glides past just as someone makes a point. That synchronicity sparks laughter and, often, deeper connection.

Creativity and longevity

OOTV: Beyond conversation, how has the Falco influenced your creativity?

Mark: Staring out over the water connects you to something bigger than yourself. I’ve drafted concepts and solved problems while watching seasons change through the glass. When you leave the sauna the world feels more vivid. Over time I’ve noticed I sleep better and feel more resilient. For someone who wants to stay engaged with creative culture for decades, those health benefits are meaningful.

Advice for others

OOTV: What would you tell someone considering a sauna?

Mark: Think about the ritual and the setting. Choosing the Falco meant we had enough space for gatherings. Positioning it at the water’s edge turned the view into an ever‑changing artwork. Embrace the full cycle of heat and cold, and invite others in. The magic isn’t just in the craftsmanship of the timber or the technology — it’s in the conversations and ideas that unfold when you’re warm, grounded and gazing at nature.

OOTV: Thank you, Mark.

Mark: Thank you for creating a place where creativity flows. It’s become my favourite room in the house.

Out of The Valley’s saunas are designed to last, combining natural materials and modern craftsmanship.

Mark’s story shows that when a sauna is thoughtfully placed and used as part of a ritual, it becomes more than a wellness feature — it’s a catalyst for thought, conversation and connection.