This mural was completed during Eisenhofer’s period working with fellow emigré architect Erwin Winkler in their Cuba St-based architectural practice Winkler & Eisenhofer (1958-1969).

Architectural plans held by the Wellington City Council Archives confirm that the sauna development was an Erwin & Winkler project, completed for (presumed) owners Mr & Mrs Dowhan. According to these original plans, the plunge pool area seems to remain largely unchanged from the original layout, although the mural’s paint colours may not be original (a Health Inspection Report in c.1993 advised stripping and repainting the pool area).

Winkler & Eisenhofer established a reputation for developing modernist-style public venues in Wellington’s emerging coffee house scene including Chez Lilly (Dixon Street, 1959) and Suzy’s Coffee Lounge (Willis Street, 1964). The former venue features a mural similar in style and rendering to this work, suggesting the Sauna mural may in fact be another collaboration by the pair.

The sauna is presently owned and occupied by the Tory Urban Retreat.

The mural may be viewed by either booking a sauna session at the retreat, or phoning the business to arrange viewing access.